Formalism

n. formality; adherence to tradition; emphasis on outward forms and customs

Formalism refers to a set of beliefs in philosophy, art, literature, or music. Formalism (art)Formalism (film)Formalism (music)Formalism (law)Formalism (literature)Formalism (philosophy)
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Noun
1. the doctrine that formal structure rather than content is what should be represented
(antonym) imitation
(hypernym) doctrine, philosophy, philosophical system, school of thought, ism
2. (philosophy) the philosophical theory that formal (logical or mathematical) statements have no meaning but that its symbols (regarded as physical entities) exhibit a form that has useful applications
(hypernym) philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory
(classification) philosophy
3. the practice of scrupulous adherence to prescribed or external forms
(hypernym) practice, pattern

(n.)
The practice or the doctrine of strict adherence to, or dependence on, external forms, esp. in matters of religion.
  

1920 - 1948 Russia - art movement, favoring forms and structures - compare aestheticism , structuralism and minimal art 

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