The article aims to define the characteristics of the Russian Avant-Garde, offering a detailed discussion of the term, as well as of the concept of “ideostylistics”. Departing from the works of Bakhtin/Voloshinov/Medvedev, the author poses as central the categories of artistic milieu, consciousness and communication, rather than other often postulated distinguishing characteristics such as scandal and provocation. Apart from Belyi and Khlebnikov two groups are discussed as cases in point, “Vol'fila” and the “Chinari”.