Study on the Question of the Degree of Innovation in Architecture

摘要

The article considers the question of expression of creative innovation in traditional, mainly medieval, Russian architecture. Various degrees of liberties taken in relation to reproduction of architectural models are identified. The attention is drawn to the rare cases of emergence of new models surpassing the previous ones. The description is given to the radical changes concerning the architectural models and styles that came about with the arrival of modern, and then contemporary, times, when the desire for complete creative emancipation and permanent innovation prevailed. The author comes to the conclusion that the current difficulties of creating and comprehending the innovative pieces of architecture are connected with the breakdown of once-coherent system of cultural values and guidance points by conscious lowering of the overall level of evaluation of the architectural and artistic achievements and spreading of excessive subjectivism and demoralizing creative all-permissiveness in the name of equality and freedom.