Page 11 - AC-2-3

Arts & Communication Kitsch and art

McBride can be seen in a different light, as Abhinavagupta recipients, who should, of course, have received some
famously described: “A taster of a sweet recipe or similar media education. This is not to deny that kitsch can be put
is rightly so designated only because he enjoys chiefly the to wrong use, but to acknowledge that it can also serve for
aspect of his own inmost self-delight […] a form totally good.
other than that of a tasteless glutton. Even in the case of
plays, poetry, and such like the separate identity [of the Acknowledgments
perceiver and the perceived] is totally superseded” —thus, None.
59
as a feeling of connectedness. Abhinavagupta’s description
also makes it understandable why the “lack of reflective Funding
60
distance” is not to the detriment of experience and can be
selected rationally as an approach to the work. It can even None.
help to actively “bring the sacred into [people’s] everyday, Conflict of interest
material lives.” 61
The author declares no conflicts of interest.
5. Conclusion
In summary, the previous analysis has shown that Author contributions
the phenomenon of kitsch can be approached from This is a single-authored article.
different perspectives, such as South Asian art theory or
postmodernism, and that the term, which implies a strong Ethics approval and consent to participate
delimitation of art, quickly becomes obsolete. Nevertheless, Not applicable.
it can be said that works commonly referred to as kitsch
fulfill special functions, including distraction – either in Consent for publication
the service of psychological well-being or as a distraction
from socio-politically important issues, depending on Not applicable.
one’s point of view. However, the so-called kitsch can also Availability of data
be understood ironically and thus as a critical reflection
of current political, social, or cultural conditions. In Not applicable.
addition, nostalgia, a connection to the past, and a sense of
community also play an important role in the motivation References
to enjoy such works. 1. Jerrentrup MJ. Staging the other: Orientalism in contemporary
Thus, as a result of this article, two aspects remain to media. Arte Individuo Soc. 2021;33(4):1329-1346.
be noted: First, the definition of art is so vague that no doi: 10.5209/aris.72035
meaningful demarcation from kitsch is possible, especially 2. Reck HU. Kritik der Kreativität. Köln: Herbert von Halem;
if one takes into account cultural embedding. Second, what 2019. p. 16.
is commonly regarded as kitsch certainly has individual
and social justification – be it for the sake of getting some 3. Dissanayake E. What is Art for? Seattle, London: University
exposure to art, for self-reflection, for relief and comfort, of Washington Press; 1988. p. 35.
or for the feeling of connectedness. 4. Muelder Eaton M. Arts and the aesthetic. In: Kivy P, editor.
The Blackwell Guide to Aesthetics. Malden, Oxford: Blackwell
Aleksandra Ubertowska gives “positive examples” of Publishing; 2004. p. 63-77, 74.
kitsch, i.e., works for which it is right to aim exclusively at
evoking emotions. However, any kind of art can be placed 5. Weitz M. Philosophy of the Arts. Cambridge: Harvard
62
in positive or negative contexts, and ultimately it very University Press; 1950. p. 51.
much depends on the recipient how they view and classify 6. Bresnahan AW. Morris Weitz. University of Dayton,
the work. Consequently, even a colorful light installation at Philosophy Faculty Publications; 2014. Available from:
a Christmas market, a cute putti in a church, or a picture https://ecommons.udayton.edu/cgi/viewcontent.
of a sweet puppy can make one feel a sense of connection cgi?article=1005&context=phl_fac_pub [Last accessed on
with all those who created or viewed the work. 2024 Aug 09].

The condemnation of kitsch thus stems from an 7. Danto AC. The transfiguration of the commonplace.
ethnocentric, conservative perspective that prioritizes J Aesthetics Art Crit. 1974;33:139-148.
modern rationality over emotionality. This perspective has 8. Scruton R. Beauty: A Very Short Introduction. New York:
no justification in the face of cultural polyphony and active Oxford University Press; 2011.

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2024) 5 doi: 10.36922/ac.2990