ART AND TECHNOLOGICAL FEATURES OF PATTERNED FELT CARPETS OF NOGAIS, KARACHAYS, BALKARS, AND KUMYKS

For the artist and researcher who is engaged in the practical sphere of creation of applied and decorative art, the understanding of the nature of integration processes that bring together the aesthetics of everyday home-life and works of arts and crafts is the necessary condition for the successful realization of professional tasks. The most interesting for the author is the traditional art of felt carpet making of the North Caucasus people: Nogais, Karachays, Balkars and Kumyks. They are distinguished by a special genetic and historical proximity of a social and cultural development which was predetermined by common Turkic roots. Processing of wool, felting, perhaps plays the most important role in the history of the Nogais, Karachays, Balkars and Kumyks and it is the most essential element of not only material but also their spiritual life. People's worldview and their aesthetic ideals affected on decor of felt carpets. The felt nowadays is a significant component of the national culture and unique decoration of felt products is a special contribution to the world art and culture. Artistic originality of felt carpets of Nogais, Karachays, Balkars and Kumyks and high skills of their performance are of the great historical and art interest. In the context of the stated agenda, the main purpose of this paper is the consideration of art, technological, design and ornamental features of felts products of Nogais, Karachays, Balkars and Kumyks and based on that, determination of their role and place in contemporary artistic culture. The methodological and theoretical basis of the study constitute the general scientific principles, namely: analysis, comparison and generalization. The author also uses widely used in cultural studies the semiotic approach, draw upon domestic researchers and uses her own "field" experience.