This lecture examines 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 science discoveries on the scale of macrocosm and extremely small magnitudes is highlighted. The theme of interconnection of abstract art with the objects of reality is raised. Peculiarities of interaction between photography and painting are shown both in the context of abstract creative search and in terms of social organisation by means of art and formation of design. The article pays attention to the influence of such concepts as cubism, surrealism and others on the search of new techniques and means of expression in photography. The article notes the similarities and differences between the creative solutions of the Western European and Soviet artists. The interconnection between conceptual searches of such photographers as M. Munkachi, A. Kertes, A. Adams, A. Renger-Patch, A. Rodchenko, E. Langman, etc., and visual decisions of such artists as P. Picasso, P. Mondrian, S. Dali, Man Ray, L. Mogoly-Nagy, etc. is demonstrated.

The lecture is illustrated with rich visual material.