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00:00:00 – 00:12:49
The video discusses the concept of defamiliarization as explored in Viktor Shklovsky's essay "Art as Technique" within the context of Russian formalism. It delves into the importance of art in making the familiar seem unfamiliar, using examples from Leo Tolstoy's work to illustrate unique storytelling techniques. The discussion also covers how poetry utilizes defamiliarization to present familiar objects in a new light, emphasizing the role of rhythm in poetry and the contrast between poetic language and prose. The overall theme focuses on breaking automatic perceptions through art to encourage fresh perspectives and creativity.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, the focus is on the essay titled “Art as Technique” by Viktor Shklovsky, a significant figure in Russian formalism. Russian formalism, akin to New Criticism in the UK and U.S, emphasizes the autonomy of the text, suggesting that its meaning is complete within itself without the need for external contexts. The formalists concentrated on analyzing the form and technique within the text rather than historical background or authorial intent. Two key intellectual schools, the Oppoys and the Moscow Linguistic Circle, contributed to the development of formalism. Viktor Shklovsky, associated with Russian formalism, founded the Oppoys and introduced the concept of defamiliarization in his essay as a means to revitalize overly familiar subjects.
00:03:00
In this segment of the video, the main point discussed is the concept of making the familiar look unfamiliar through art. The essay explores how habitual perception leads to objects being seen automatically, losing their essence. Examples given include holding a pen or seeing everyday objects only based on their main characteristics. The essay emphasizes the importance of art in breaking the automatic perception cycle by making objects unfamiliar through increased difficulty or prolonged perception. The purpose of art is to allow people to recover sensations and perceive things as they are, not as they have become through habit.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the discussion revolves around the de-familiarization techniques utilized by Leo Tolstoy in his works. Tolstoy employs a technique where he makes the familiar seem strange by describing objects and events in an unconventional manner, avoiding accepted names. For instance, instead of directly using the word “flogging,” he describes the process in a de-familiarized way. Tolstoy’s work “Stomer” is even narrated by a horse, offering unique perspectives on topics like private property. The video also touches upon how Tolstoy portrays batteries and religious customs as if they were novel concepts, illustrating his innovative approach to storytelling.
00:09:00
In this segment of the video, the focus is on the concept of parallelism and defamiliarization in poetry. Slovasky explains that defamiliarization can make familiar objects seem unfamiliar by presenting them in a new perspective, creating a special perception. Poetic language is highlighted as having a unique structure to remove automatic perceptions, aiming for a strange and wonderful effect. Poets achieve defamiliarization through obscure style, phonetic roughening, and repetition of sounds. Some poets use everyday language to create deep familiarization in readers, such as Pushkin using popular language. The use of colloquial language can also be a part of defamiliarization. Maxm Gorky used dialects to defamiliarize when the Russian literary language became part of everyday conversation.
00:12:00
In this segment of the video, the key points discussed include the contrast between economical prose and poetic language, emphasizing rhythm as a crucial element in poetry that differs from prose. The concept of de-familiarization or making something unfamiliar to aid in creativity and fresh perspectives is highlighted. The speaker concludes by encouraging viewers to subscribe and share the video if they found it helpful.