«MOTHERLAND» IN THE RUSSIAN VISUAL CULTURE

«MOTHERLAND» IN THE RUSSIAN VISUAL CULTURE

Authors

• V. Riabov O.

Keywords:

«Motherland», Russian visual culture, Russian history, symbolic meaning of motherhood, symbolic borderguard, national identity, war propaganda, political mobilization, caricature, poster, sculpture.

Abstract

The article deals with analysis of history of visualization of «Motherland» which is one of the most important symbols of Russian culture. In the beginning of the article the author considers the nature of the symbol and its functions. The author points out that Motherland serves as a symbolic borderguard; it is exploited in processes of identification. In discourses on nation, war, imperia, gender, domestic and international politics the symbol provides both external and internal hierarchies and symbolic borders, contributing significantly in defining not only Us but also Them. Further the author analyses the history of visualization of «Motherland» in the Imperial, Soviet, and post-Soviet periods of Russian history. The author arrives at the conclusion that the visual history of «Motherland» started in the time of the Peter the Great. For the three hundred years history the symbol turns into an influential part of Russian visual culture. The image of Russia as a mother is embodied in various visual means (sculpture, posters, caricatures, banknotes, postcards, cinema, theater, and others); that testifies on importance of the symbol. Many aspects of Russian political, war, and cultural life are visualized with the help of the image of Motherland. The author demonstrates that polysemy of the symbol «Motherland» allows to employ it both in legitimating and delegitimating power.