Intermedial transformations of P. P. Bazhov's mountain mythology in the novel "2017" by Olga Slavnikova

The article focuses on the problem of visualization of Pavel Bazhov’s mountain mythology images. It is claimed that a great many visual representations of Bazhov’s tales (skaz) fantastic characters in book illustrations, fiction and animated films, porcelain figurines and decorative and applied arts are archaic and do not respond to the demand of modern culture, thus, degenerating into kitsch. The visual representations of Bazhov’s images have been reproducing the clichés developed in the Soviet visual culture of the 1940-1950-s and have focused on the Russian XIX century painting traditions. The key role in the mentioned clichés production belongs to Alexander Ptushko’s film "The Stone Flower" (1946) and the porcelain figurines of the 1950-s. A major condition for actualization of Bazhov’s creativity is in renovation of its visual representations. Such a renovation project is presented by the description of the characters in the novel "2017" by Olga Slavnikova. In counterbalance to the present perception stereotypes Slavnikova creates new scenarios for Bazhov’s characters’ visualization in keeping with the latest screen culture based on computer animation.