Kitsch Definition
Ok, we have been working on defining Kitsch. It is difficult. This is what we have so far. One day, it will develop into a wonderful essay.
Why kitsch? But before we can answer that question, another one presents itself. What is kitsch? This seldom-encountered word with its simple one-syllable structure and too-many-consonants. Just like its namesake, kitsch is something that most people do not exactly understand, and yet also something that we have all encountered deep in our subconscious. An innate feeling that we recognize easily, but have difficulty expressing. It has been defined as “the absolute denial of shit”. This definition is very concise, but does not give us any deeper understanding. Indeed, 'kitsch' is a word that is very difficult to describe in words. It has been voted as one of the 'hardest words to define'. But let us strive to define it anyway, or at least die in the attempt.
The first criteria of kitsch is that it has to be done in bad taste. The second would be that it has to be an imitation of something that was once fashionable. So what can we consider as kitsch? Design, poetry, prose, fashion, culture, etc. can all be kitsch. But what about other things that are not art-based? For example, can a concept be kitsch?
Why kitsch? But before we can answer that question, another one presents itself. What is kitsch? This seldom-encountered word with its simple one-syllable structure and too-many-consonants. Just like its namesake, kitsch is something that most people do not exactly understand, and yet also something that we have all encountered deep in our subconscious. An innate feeling that we recognize easily, but have difficulty expressing. It has been defined as “the absolute denial of shit”. This definition is very concise, but does not give us any deeper understanding. Indeed, 'kitsch' is a word that is very difficult to describe in words. It has been voted as one of the 'hardest words to define'. But let us strive to define it anyway, or at least die in the attempt.
The first criteria of kitsch is that it has to be done in bad taste. The second would be that it has to be an imitation of something that was once fashionable. So what can we consider as kitsch? Design, poetry, prose, fashion, culture, etc. can all be kitsch. But what about other things that are not art-based? For example, can a concept be kitsch?
