The lecture deals with the crisis of the traditional realist model of visuality under the influence of the development of new means of expression, such as photography and cinema. The impact on artists and photographers of the results of natural scientific discoveries on the scale of macrocosm and extremely small values is emphasised. The theme of interrelation of abstract art with objects of reality is raised. The peculiarities of interaction between photography and painting are revealed both in the context of abstract creative searches and from the point of view of the organisation of society by means of art and the formation of design. Attention is drawn to the influence of such concepts as cubism, surrealism, etc. on the search for new techniques and means of expression in the field of photography. Similarities and differences between the creative solutions of Western European and Soviet artists are noted. The interrelation of conceptual searches of such photographers as M. Munkaci, A. Kertesz, A. Adams, A. Renger-Patch, A. Rodchenko, E. Langman, etc. with visual solutions of such artists as P. Picasso, P. Mondrian, S. Dali, Man Ray, L. Moholy-Nagy, etc. is demonstrated.

The lecture is illustrated with rich visual material.