"Find Peace Through Design": Tolerant Perception in the Oeuvre of Yuri Stash
Authors: Сулейманова Ф.Х. 
Published: January 2022

Автор избрал художественное творчество выдающегося современного адыгского художника-модельера Юрия Махмудовича Сташа примером для выявления творческих принципов, которые определяют возможность трансляции и популяризации идей толерантности средствами дизайна. Исследование основано на результатах предшествующих работ, посвященных творчеству художника, а также проблемам истории декоративно-прикладного искусства народов Северного Кавказа, этнодизайна, концептуального осмысления толерантности. Рассмотрена творческая биография Ю. М. Сташа, показаны истоки его толерантного воспитания. Произведен анализ комплекса произведений художника, в которых особенно ярко раскрыта рассматриваемая тема. Выявлены наиболее важные творческие установки мастера, способствующие трансляции идей толерантности. Сделан вывод о перспективности осмысления заявленной темы на примере дизайнерских работ Ю. М. Сташа и о высокой воспитательной, социальной, нравственной значимости его мудрой философии.

Using the example of the activities of the modern Adyghe artist-fashion designer Yuri M. Stash, the article reveals the creative principles that allow the ideas of tolerance to be broadcast and popularized through design, thus contributing to the preservation of the cultural heritage of humankind and serving as a guarantor of social stability. The research is based on the results of studies of the life and work of Yuri Stash, ethno-design, the history of arts and crafts of the peoples of the North Caucasus, the problems of tolerance; photographic images of Stash’s works are also used. The methodology is based on a combination of art historical analysis of art objects with methods of comparative studies, psychological, cultural-historical, sociological and systems approaches. The author is guided by the thesis that the processes of interaction and integration of cultures taking place in the modern world require searching for acceptable ways of dialogue of ideas, values, and ideological beliefs. The problems of optimizing interpersonal and interethnic communication can be solved based on the analysis of the creativity of people whose heritage is imbued with the spirit of tolerance. One of them is Yuri Stash, whose birthday has been celebrated in the Republic of Adygea for 10 years as the Day of National Costume. Stash’s creative biography is considered; the origins of his tolerant upbringing are shown. The complex of the artist’s works, in which the theme of tolerance is most clearly revealed, is analyzed. The author finds that, in Stash’s creative heritage, the traditional and the innovative, myths and reality are synthesized; acute problems of the third millennium are philosophically assessed; images of the “lost past” are wisely combined with the dream of a better future. In Stash’s creative heritage, the enormous potential of the Adyghe people’s tolerance is revealed. This original philosopher brings light, love and beauty to people. The author emphasizes that each of the artist’s works reflects a deep knowledge of the culture of his own and neighboring peoples, respect for their traditions, tolerance for foreign cultural ideological and value stereotypes. The artist’s most important creative attitudes, contributing to the transmission of ideas of tolerance, are revealed. The author makes conclusions about the prospects of understanding the topic of tolerance on the example of design works by Yuri Stash; about the high educational, social, moral significance of his wise philosophy.