Kitsch

toc = = =Kitsch=

Kitsch is originally a German term for describing artwoks that are copies of other existing artworks. Kitsch normally takes on a negative connotation to represent tackiness and bad taste. Kitsch is very closely related to artworks that are "sentimental, mawkish or maudlin". Kitsch is and imitative genre that has a superficial appearance in the artworld and that lacks both in creativity and originality. However Kitsch is taking on a positive connotation for some and being used more to describe works that are considered fun and retro which are humorous and ironic.

Presently Kitch has many positice connotation as it has been often used by other artists to mock somebody's work. The artists that use Kitch have a tendency to exaggerate in their representation of things which gives those things a comic interpetation. In a societal sense, Kitsch has also broadened as a term to denote a particular style of dressing or style of decor or adornment that is tacky, over-the top and jazzy. It is usually used in a negative sense but can be internalized positively to create a sense of identity-"oh, she has a very kitsch but funky style of dressing". Hence, the word can sometimes be used juxtaposed with another word to mean 'flasy, but funky and unusual'.

=Examples of Kitsch=

Philosopher Roger Scruton says, "Kitsch therefore relies on codes and clichés that convert the higher emotions into a pre-digested and trouble-free form—the form that can be most easily pretended." (Scruton 2006).

Images that reflect this concept usually have elements that are often repeated. Such images fail to delve into creativity, and thus remain to be superficial. The most popular example would be images from motivational posters:

- A single mountain climber at the top of a mountain facing the rising sun - The sun rising over trees - The reflection of a tree in water - The image of a single tree in a field - The "concrete rose", or single solitary rose in an urbanesque environment - Image of a pen and paper, denoting an author