Abstract
The mechanisms of the mutual influence of elite and mass culture as a fundamental factor in the formation of a professional image and professional competencies of a modern cultural scientist are studied. The historical dynamics of the transformation of the cultural space from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day are analyzed. In particular, the evolution from the modernist experiments of P. Picasso, which retained a connection with the classical idea of the artist-genius, to the serial production of artistic objects by E. Warhol, which marked the complete assimilation of art by market relations, is traced. It is determined that in the conditions of global dominance of the middle cult, according to the concept of D. MacDonald, the cultural scientist performs the function of a mediator who provides a communicative connection between the art world and the mass audience. The methodological basis of the work was a comprehensive approach that combines the methods of hermeneutics, comparative studies and critical discourse analysis. It is proven that the professional competence of a cultural scientist requires the integration of interaction strategies at three levels: Inner cultural (personal life experience), Intracultural (intra-social experience) and Intercultural (international level), which is the key to effective cultural dialogue. It is emphasized that a modern specialist must have developed intercultural sensitivity, empathy and ethical communication skills, which is the key to cultural stability in the conditions of full-scale war and globalization challenges. The need to update the professional competencies of a cultural scientist aimed at fostering public trust and tolerance through effective strategies of intercultural interaction is substantiated. The emphasis is on the importance of critical thinking and academic reflection as tools for preserving the authenticity of culture in the era of standardized content, where the line between artistic depth and opportunistic product is becoming increasingly transparent. It is established that in the conditions of conscientious war, the cultural scientist becomes an important subject of brain deoccupation, responsible for strengthening the humanitarian basis of identity. The professional image of a cultural scientist-mediator is built on internal resistance to intellectual entropy and the ability to defend cultural values despite commercial demands and one-time fashion trends.
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