Abstract: The object of this research is a totem symbol in decorative tradition of the peoples of pre-Columbian America. The subject of this research is the images of jaguar in the art of the Aztecs of Mesoamerica. The images of a human and jaguar are captured on the metal, stone and clay artifacts of pre-Columbian civilizations that are available to the public in Mexico City National Museum of Anthropology, Peruvian Museum of the Nation in Lima, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D. C. The research methodology is based on compilation of the results of fundamental research of the leading scholars of North American School of Anthropology. The article conduct a general systematization and brief analytics of scientific records on the specificity of Mesoamerican decorative tradition of totem symbols throughout an extensive period of time: 1500 BC – 400 AD (Olmec Civilization), III century BC – VII century AD (Teotihuacan Civilization), 900 BC – 200 AD (Chavín Civilization), 750 BC – 100 AD (Paracas Civilization), 2300 – 1200 BC (Kotosh Civilization), 1250 – 1470 AD (Chimú Civilization). The presented materials substantiate the thesis that jaguar as a totem symbol carried out the functions of unification and identification of ethnoses of Mesoamerica, reflecting relevant sociocultural trends at various stages of anthropogenesis. The novelty of this work consists in scientific systematization of the facts that the nuances of fusion of the images of human and jaguar in art objects of Aztec culture reflect a harmonious or turbulent frame of mind in pre-Columbian era.

Keywords: Harmony, Symbol, Totem, Archaic, Anthropology, Art, Human being, Culture, Conflict, Civilization

Abstract: The question of understanding of corporeality in philosophy, science, medicine and culture goes back centuries and remains relevant until the present. This relates mostly to anthropological challenges of the crisis technogenic civilization that is trying to improve human nature, without understanding of its holism, taking into account existential issues of hybrid man-machine systems and socies, virtual and cyber-physical umvelts, within which corporeality becomes more of an atavism and a deterrent for the rapid worlds managed by the powerful artificial intelligence. In philosophy of the XX century, the understanding of generalized corporeality is associated primarily with the phenomenological project of E. Husserl and its advancement in the works of M. Merleau-Ponty, French poststructuralists A. Artaud, G. Deleuze, F. Guattari, who conceptualizes the idea of generalized corporeality in cultural terms, rather than in natural science. The author proposes the introduction of the ontologies of generalized corporeality based on differentiation of its functional manifestations in communication and theatrical art, referring to the modern representations on the mechanism and their potential implementation on the level of physiology and mental sphere of personality, as well as on the level of substantial factors of biology, psychophysics and robotics. For these purposes, the author attracts the concepts of synergetics and quantum theory as the grounds for such functional ontologies; at the same time, full ontology of generalized corporeality is presented by direct product of the ontologies of states and temporal ontologies of physical and mental processes of a human, which allows creating a semiotics of corporeality of acting or anthropomorphic avatar-robot. The article explores the boundaries of emulation of human corporeality by the modern means of IT technologies, and the question of unattainability of many creative and spiritual sub-bodies of a person using technical means.

Keywords: temporal ontologies, state ontologies, quantum psychology, generalized corporeality, self-organization, Anthropology, artificial intelligence, hybrid reality, directing, acting

Abstract: This article examines the ontology of activity. Such need emerged due to the problems in studying of modern technology. It is evident that an engineer and a technologist work in a complex environment and conditioned by different situation, but the theoretical representations of the activity do account for these circumstances. The author explores the traditional view and scenario. Analysis is conducted on the several situations (environmental, anthropological, cultural, social, population) that impact the work and mentality of an engineer and a technologist. A new pattern of an act is proposed. In the course of research, the author employs the following methodology: articulation of the problem, situational and comparative analysis, typological analysis, structuring of the narrative scheme of activity. As a result, the author was able to describe the situation that requires reconsideration of the ontology of activity. It is necessary to reveal the differences of several spheres, which are important from environmental, anthropological, cultural, social, and population perspectives. The article outlines the scheme of activity, which includes a new interpretation of the subject of activity, several processes launched by pursuit of the activity, response from these processes to articulation of goals and tasks of the activity.

Keywords: sociality, culture, situations, consequences, problems, tasks, goals, activity, ecology, anthropology

Abstract: In recent years, due to expansion of cooperation between Russia and China in various spheres, and heightened interest to Chinese culture and cultural exchange, the folk tales and their in-depth review more and more relevance. This article examines and analyzes the Chinese folk tales, ethnocultural representations on the world, values, relationships, and assessment of surrounding environment contained thereof. The understanding of traditional concepts and images allows to better understand mentality of the nation, their priorities and ideologies. The parallel is drawn with the Russian tales and stereotypes. The author determines the universal ethical messages typical for the people of any culture, as well as specific features characteristic to Chinese people. The differences and similarities in perception of various images, actions and conclusions are considered on the examples of Chinese and Russian cultures. A popular idea of “two brothers” in narration of the tales is presented. On the example of several tales, the author analyzes this traditional model and describes its peculiarities, as well as behavioral models that are typical to China. Behavioral analysis can be valuable in in-depth review of Chinese culture, namely folk culture, as well as in strengthening of cross-cultural ties and improving efficiency of studying Chinese language through understanding the national stereotypes and linguistic worldview.

Keywords: linguistic world image, people’s way of thinking, culture of China, fairy tales model, folk art, analysis, Chinese folk tales, cultural exchange, Chinese language, values

Abstract: This article is aimed at studying and systematization of key techniques in designing ethnic interior, namely in Japanese restaurants located in Russia. The research defines the difference in perception of space in Japanese and European culture, as well as determines usage of traditional and innovative solution methods of an artistic image. In practice, the conducted research may become an evaluation category in analysis of creative techniques of modern authors who implement Far Eastern theme in designing restaurant environment. The subject of this research is the artistic and decorative approaches in the context of interpretation of authentic Japanese environment. Within the framework of established approaches, the author determines the additional design solution methods. The object of this research is the restaurants of Japanese cuisine that are located in Russia and designed by European authors. The novelty consists in systematization of the key compositional techniques in design of modern restaurants with ethnic concept in Russia. It is established that the leading approach in design is the interpretation of components borrowed from authentic architectural objects and decorative art, as well as formation of associative impressions for reflecting the ethnic theme. The approach based on interpretation of the known by European recipient architectural and decorative techniques of object-spatial environment is dominant, which allows viewing the elements of interior and traditional decorative art as a leading component of authentic culture that undergoes stylization in formation of an artistic image of modern restaurants.  

Keywords: stylization, modern interior, interpretation, decorative art, design techniques, traditional Japanese interior, project method, restaurant interior, Japan, minimalism

Abstract: The author examines four main things taught by Confucius: virtue, speech, political questions, and literature in the context of their use in teaching scenic art. The author claims that speech is extremely importance, as it is not only a criterion for assessing virtue, but also necessary means for participating in political affairs and mastering literature. The article describes asset of guidelines for speech practice, their application in teaching acting techniques, and significance for practicing “dialogue” in scenic speech class. Attention is focused on teaching improvisation dialogue to the actors. Such practical course is intended for logical organization of speech skills of the students. A conclusion is made that Confucius' understanding of speech practices allows teaching improvisation dialogue to the future actors. At the initial stage of teaching improvisation dialogue, it is important to instill  the sense of self-consciousness into students, dispose towards self-education, teach to be in a stable work condition, and only then organize speech based on the suggested circumstances. During this practical course, it is necessary to follow true emotions, mutual trust, sincerity of communication and, and how the student overcomes difficulties if logically structures the line of dialogue. The next step is to teach the future actor a rational attitude towards a situation.

Keywords: Self-education, Educational actor, Impromptu dialogue training, Performance training, Chinese philosopher Confucius, Chinese educator, Dialogue, Stage speec, Confucianism, Logic of life