The diploma thesis defines the therm "cliché" in art and specifically in photography. This definition stems from examining concepts that are closely related to cliché: paraphrase, kitch, copy, reproduction. The thesis also pinpoints various examples of cliché in today's photography. It follows the development of certain clichés and aims to answer the question that concerns the repetitive search and imitation of certain images, even by authors who are undoubtedly aware of their existence, as well as frequency.

The dissertation is following both theoretical and practical sides of Victor Burgin's early work. The structure of this thesis mainly reflects a hybrid attitude of the artist/theorist - the text digress from theoretical comments to related art works which are arranged chronologically. The principal focus lies in Burgin's concers for ideological, social and cultural impacts of photographic advertising practice in Great Britain during the 1970s which he assesed through theories derived from marxism, semiology and psychoanalysis. Keywords: Victor Burgin, photography theory, minimal art, conceptual art, cognitive science, semiotics, modernism, postmodernism, LEF (Left Front of the Arts), marxism, psychoanalysis, feminism

This final thesis aims to introduce the reader with the Helsinki School phenomenon especially with the less known facts. The great deal of attention is dedicated to the historical development of teaching photography in Finland which precede the phenomenon itself. First chapter is chronologically ordered for better clarity, since the origination to present time. Other important part is dedicated to the term of the Helsinki School and to Timothy Persons as its founder. The third and last chapter is focused to selection of six artists of the Helsinki School. Their work is described by the monographic method. After reading my work, the reader should have a clear idea of what preceded the Helsinki School, what is characteristic for it and who are its members. I would like to approach the reader with this topic from as many angels as possible so that the picture of the Helsinki School is complete.