The Ideological Factor in Mykhaylo Semenko’s Creative Work: The Collapse of an Illusion

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to systematize M. Semenko’s views and attitudes as well as his personal standpoint as for the role and significance of the ideological factor in his creative work, drawing upon the theoretical and creative heritage of the founder of Ukrainian futurism. Research methodology. A range of known publications concerning the issue of the «creative work-ideology» written by famous philosophers, aestheticians, art historians of the USSR epoch are reviewed. They greatly contributed to the development of ideological aspect within the socialist realism art. In addition, a set of works by contemporary Ukrainian culturologists are studied which reveal the transformation in comprehension of ideology from 1846 to interpretational changes in modern culturology. Results. The objective set goes far beyond M. Semenko’s personality, as it reflects the situation which a number of talented Ukrainian creators faced. It was an ideological struggle, ideological opposition within the country that designated the tragic end of both their creative work and the lives. During the years after 1917 October coup M. Semenko was convinced that it was he and his followers who were the founders of the great process — uniting the supporters of Communist culture around the idea they shared. The reality was far from their romantic expectations as the only repressive function of «Leninism ideology» was consequently and steadily introduced. Novelty. An attempt is made to reveal the important aspects concerning M. Semenko’s attitude to the ideological issues and their potential within the process of radically new model of art. The research into M. Semenko’s theoretical heritage and the ways of his creative self-realization are considered as the upcoming trends of further cultural studies. The practical significance. The material in this article can be used in further scientific and theoretical comprehension of the phenomenon of «ideology» and its impact on the literary creative work of Ukrainian avant-garde representatives. The obtained results make it possible to apply in lectures on aesthetics, cultural studies, theory and history of art for the students of humanities and creative and artistic higher educational establishments.