At its core, kitsch feels like something less than art; it panders to the middle and is flagrantly anti-art, though it often apes or references art. This referential, ersatz quality is why it’s so fun to collect. The value of kitsch exists in its novelty and in its connotations to more legitimate counterparts.
Carrie Brownstein
So, by this definition, you would still have to understand the references to art in the first place, wouldn’t you?
You can find the entire article by the wonderful Carry Brownstein on kitsch in music here.
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Du lässt dich nicht beeinflussen, ja?! Good on you.
Ha ha, natürlich nie … 😉
thought so!
“Kitchig” is a word we used in my native language for everything that either wasn’t real, like plastic flowers. As a former translator I can tell you what I learned 🙂
The difficulty in defining kitsch is evident in its “untranslatability” of the German word. British translators ranked kitsch among the top ten most difficult terms to translate; the word kitsch is also used in English. There is also no adequate translation in French, which is why the word kitsch is sometimes used there as well. Numerous languages have adopted the word, including the Turkish language ( kitsch or kiç ) and even the Greek language (κιτς) , which gets by with a few foreign words.
The following criteria can be cited for kitsch:
In contrast to the work of art , which allows room for interpretation (and even demands interpretation), kitsch cannot be interpreted.
Stereotypes and clichés: Kitsch repeats what the viewer is already familiar with. Originality is expected from the work of art (innovation compulsion of art).
Easy reproducibility ( mass-produced goods).
Thank you so much for your comment. There is really not much to add to this. I really liked that you just didn’t brush it off as tacky! What is your original home country?
When I started this blog, I was convinced many people embrace in kitsch, be it collectibles, odd Big Landmarks or grannies’ curtains. For the joy it can give people and the fact that many take themselves way too seriously. Over the years, it proved to be difficult, as the topic always boarders on art (connoisseurs) or consumerism. There is still a way to go to figure all this out. What I liked about the article above was that the references just keep building up. So kitsch and art might have to blur eventually.
May kitsch and art never blur 🙂
I was born in South Tyrol, which is supposed to belong to Italy, but doesn’t want to be, because we once belonged to Austria. Mother tongue is German.
Amen.
From your blog, I would’ve never picked your background. Before my inner eye unfolds mountain kitsch with Edelweiß and roaring deer 🙂
https://nonsmokingladybug.wordpress.com/2017/05/26/italy-austria-usa-and-then-some/?wref=tp
Cool! You might like this one https://bekitschig.blog/2015/02/28/the-germans-have-a-word-for-it/
Goodness, a long list with words nobody ever uses 🙂 Sprichst Du und verstehst Du Deutsch?
Na klar 🙂 Breed berlinerisch
(Randberliner)
I love kitsch and how it has a sense of humour and so much joy to it. I love your blog too
Thanks hun!
Wow I love this comment and explanation
Oh, how sweet of you to let me know. Thanks you!