Stop Trying to Make Kitsch Happen?
- LJ Cadogan
- Sep 13, 2021
- 4 min read
Tat. We all know someone who loves it. If you don’t, it’s probably you.
Whether it’s a school trip, a holiday, or a museum visit, there is always the temptation of a souvenir. You’re no stranger to this; every attraction has a gift shop, and even if you don’t have children in tow, most of us can’t resist just having a quick look.
Arguably, with the environment and sustainability on everyone’s minds, the products offered by gift shops are changing. And it isn’t just the packaging. From re-usable travel cups and water bottles, notebooks made from recycled paper, to cloth tote bags, there is less of a focus on cheap plastic-based tat.
And it isn’t just gift shops who are changing their ways and their offerings. Plenty of tat is still available, but again with the environment in mind, there’s more of an emphasis on handmade products. Minimalism in the home tends to be preferred these days, with clutter hidden away. You might remember 2019’s Netflix show, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. In the US and UK respectively, Marie Kondo’s methods gained popularity, turning the organiser into a household name. What does that mean for lovers of kitsch?
There is a very real joy to being surrounded by objects you love. Outside of the topic of decoration, what we own shouldn’t make us who we are (what’s inside is what counts), but filling your space with things you like to look at, or collect, is one of those little freedoms that is taken for granted.
On a human level, it (collecting things) probably has something to do with a primitive need to gather, but I digress.
What is Kitsch?
Kitsch is one of those terms that has become difficult to define. The word itself is German, and means worthless trashy art. Typically, it is cheap, childish, mass-produced, sentimental, and vulgar.
Usually associated with ‘bad taste’, kitsch has been an uncomfortable notion in the art world, particularly amongst those who favour ‘high-brow’ art. In 2004, Robert Scruton (writing for the BBC) said this: ‘kitsch is fake art, expressing fake emotions, whose purpose is to deceive the consumer into thinking he feels something deep and serious.’
And this might almost feel true when we consider what kitsch can be applied to. Lava lamps, Barbie Dolls, porcelain models of puppies with sad eyes, and mass-produced teapots shaped like cottages; we know kitsch when we see it. Arguably, these items offer very little beyond their immediate aesthetic value.
One of the things that made kitsch so popular was (and is) its accessibility. Frequently at the mercy of snobbery, kitsch, like so many other contentious art forms, has its place in the world. If we want more people to share the joys of art, we shouldn’t dissuade them based on individual notions of subjective taste.
Kitsch in the Art World
Jeff Koons is an American artist, known for his work (including sculptures, such as the well-known Balloon Dog) dealing with popular culture.
Koons is particularly relevant in the conversation of kitsch because his work has been dismissed as such within the art world. Although he states that there are no hidden meanings behind his work, that doesn’t mean critics and fans won’t seek them out.
Back in 2016, I visited Koons’ Now exhibition at Newport Street Gallery. I think it was the giant bowl of eggs I’d seen pictured in an advertisement that drew me in. I googled Jeff Koons, debated whether or not his work was art (it didn’t matter to me either way; I like large colourful objects that are out of context), and decided to go the exhibition to continue the debate.
I didn’t reach a conclusion about Jeff Koons’ work at his Now Exhibition. I liked a lot of the sculptures I saw, but in retrospect, I liked a lot of them because of their aesthetic appeal, which does suggest that there is something kitsch about Koons’ work. I don’t feel that has to be a criticism though, as kitsch does work as an aesthetic by itself.
A few years later, I came across another sculpture by Koons, Ushering in Banality in Amsterdam’s Stedelijk Museum. This is one of my favourite things about being aware of different artists – when you are somewhere new and you see a piece of work that you haven’t seen before. That familiarity affords me some comfort in being somewhere new.
Enviro-Friendly Kitsch
It’s fair to say that a good deal of us no longer clutter our window ledges with odd ornaments and knick knacks. It’s considered clutter, and nobody needs extra clutter (especially if you don’t have too much space). So, how you get your kitsch fix?
Do keep an eye out for products you will either use, wear, or display. Consider whether you really want the item or not. This applies to a lot of purchases, but if you have a sneaking suspicion you won’t get much use or enjoyment out of the item, then it is fine to pass on it. Even if it does have a flamingo in a tutu on it.
Have a look in charity shops. Not only is this a really good excuse to browse, but you often come across little treasures. And of course, the purchase helps out charity too! You might also come across something you can turn into a craft project.
Support small businesses and independent artists. You can find some really good small businesses and artists online, and a lot of them are doing their bit to protect the environment. Practices include recycling old materials to make new products, sustainable or recycled / recyclable packaging, and sustainably-sourced materials and ingredients.
Kitsch in the Wild
No kitsch-shaming; it’s an aesthetic.