Kitsch

 

 

    This article is the beginning of Forum’s new column dedicated to the fine arts. The editorial board decided to cover a variety topics pertaining to the  Polish culture, in the desire to promote its most worthy and evolving esthetic aspects, here and in Poland.

   

    I will begin with the subject of kitsch and define it to the best of my ability, so in the future, when we cover more complex esthetic issues, we won’t have to return to its fundamental definition. Kitsch, is a German word that  has been adopted into English, meaning “worthless, trashy art”or the quality of art. Despite the popular use of the term, its definition is often perplexing, and for many, make it difficult to precisely categorize an object or work.

 

    Usually, when visiting an art gallery we have to consider our esthetic expectations. Sometimes we are confused or uncertain if we’re viewing great art or the common kitsch. This dilemma is compounded by the frequent lack of the basic art appreciation education. From early years on, we are thought  reading, writing, arithmetic, sciences and other subjects, but about visual arts — not so much.

 

   Examining the human history, we see  that creating was a part of it, from the very beginning. The early man drew, painted and sculpted as a way of expressing thoughts and perhaps venturing into the spiritual world. Lascaux Caves in France and Altamira Caves in Spain, dated between 17—12 thousand years BC, show stunning examples of painting, etching and carving. From early on, humans had a need for some kind of self expression and visual communication, about the natural world around them, and that drive is still with us.

 

   Paradoxically, coming from the same human nature, but due to the lack of effort, passivity and lack of imagination,  we gladly accept the first available information, and the simpler and nonsensical it is — the better. Absurdity has  some similarity to kitsch and speaks to people’s pedestrian imagination. The statistical individual on the streets, desires experience not introspection. In a well crafted and repeatedly presented absurdity, he can easily find intriguing fairytale distortions. There, where the heart rules, the mind has no right to oppose or doubt, for this is the kitsch’s domain.

 

    The feelings awakened by it, have to divide the masses. Kitsch doesn’t depend on  the deep analysis but on the simple images and  childhood impressions. Kitsch elicits emotional tears, saying — this is beautiful. Everyone likes it, everyone will hang it on their own wall or place it in their garden.

 

    Generally, kitsch can be characterized by over-dependence on the cliche imagery such as  wide-eyed children and animals, bloom infused outdoor scenes and others, shown in realistic style and dripping with sentimentality. Let’s not forget the ubiquitous garden gnomes and other “landscaping”.

 

    On the other hand, the true art is a thought provoking    synthesis   of reality, while kitsch brims with superfluous overstatements. One can say the true art’s goal is interpreting the world around us while kitsch aims to imitate it. Art can create new language for the surrounding reality, while kitsch exists in the safe boundaries of the established formula, without challenging the viewer to introspection or learning. Therefore, in order to understand and appreciate it, we have to reassess own esthetic criteria on this art discovery journey.

 

  I would like to help those interested, to delve deeper into the subject. In the future columns, reader will find interesting tidbits pertaining to the Polish art and artists from all the major fields and media.