Page 7 - AC-2-3

Arts & Communication

REVIEW ARTICLE
A case for kitsch

Maja Tabea Jerrentrup*
Department of Media and Culture, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, University Landshut,
Landshut, Bavaria, Germany

Abstract

Kitsch and art are often seen as opposites. However, by showing culturally different
perspectives on the phenomenon of kitsch, the term itself can be revealed as
undefinable and ethnocentric. After looking at the common definition of kitsch and
its vague distinction from art, kitsch is considered through the lens of the centuries-
old South Asian rasa theory, which places emotion at the center. The postmodern
perspective, in turn, brings in self-reflexivity and irony. Both perspectives show
that demarcation between art and kitsch is not useful and fails to acknowledge the
agency of the recipient. Several psychological functions of kitsch are identified: on an
indivdual level, the devotion to feelings play a role, as they can promot psychological
well-being. Further, kitsch enables self-reflection, as the choice of perspective lies
with the active recipient. In addition, kitsch facilitates a sense of community in a
special way and also enables less privileged people to access the art.

Keywords: Kitsch; Art; Rasa theory; Postmodernism

*Corresponding author:
Maja Tabea Jerrentrup
(maja-tabea.jerrentrup@haw- 1. Introduction
landshut.de)
Nowadays, kitsch seems to be in great demand. The well-known Kunstforum Düsseldorf
Citation: Jerrentrup MT. A case in Germany recently presented an exhibition of brightly colored toys; in Rotterdam, you
for kitsch. Arts & Communication. can see the Kollection Kitsch and in the #wunderbar and the Kunsthalle Bremen, last
2024;2(3):2990.
doi: 10.36922/ac.2990 year, Sunset: A Celebration of the Sinking Sun was shown. Even if you look around
on social media, kitsch is booming. Yet, as will be shown below, the term “kitsch” still
1
Received: February 21, 2024
carries negative connotations.
Accepted: April 8, 2024
The aim of this article is to argue for kitsch and against the common separation of
Published Online: August 19, 2024 kitsch and art. It will become clear that this distinction is obsolete and ethnocentric.
Copyright:© 2024 Author(s). To this end, different cultural perspectives on what is commonly referred to as kitsch
This is an Open-Access article will be adopted, and different motivations for its reception will be reflected upon. The
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution background of this article is interdisciplinary, with a focus on cultural anthropology.
Noncommercial License, permitting
all non-commercial use, distribution, 2. Definitions
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is Even though the author is critical of the separation of kitsch and art, the central terms
properly cited. must first be defined separately – also to show the weakness of this very distinction.
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with 2.1. Art
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional Defining art seems almost impossible: “The core of art remains unchanged [...] even
affiliations. according to the views of the essential design theorists, academy founders, teachers, and

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2024) 1 doi: 10.36922/ac.2990