Exploring Kitsch Design: Sentimentality, Garishness, and Mass Production

Kitsch design, often referred to as “kitsch,” is a term used to describe art, objects, or design considered in poor taste due to excessive garishness, sentimentality, or melodrama. Despite its negative connotations, kitsch is sometimes appreciated ironically. Originating from the German word “kitschen,” meaning “to make cheap” or “knock off,” kitsch encompasses a wide range of aesthetic expressions characterised by their over-the-top and mass-produced nature.

Characteristics of Kitsch Design

Sentimentality

Kitsch often appeals to emotions, evoking nostalgia of past eras. This emotional appeal can make kitsch objects feel familiar, usually triggering sentimental memories.

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Garishness

Bright colours, bold patterns, and excessive ornamentation are features of kitsch design. This boldness can be overwhelming and captivating in its audacity and confidence.

Mass Production

Kitsch items are usually mass-produced, resulting in a sense of uniformity. This characteristic links kitsch to the broader cultural shifts brought by the Industrial Revolution, which democratized access to decorative items and art.

Imitation

Kitsch frequently imitates more esteemed forms of art or design but does so in a way perceived as lacking authenticity or depth. This imitation often strips the original of its nuanced meaning, producing an appealing but shallow product.

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Humour and Irony

Some people appreciate kitsch for its ironic value, enjoying it tongue-in-cheek. This ironic fun can transform kitsch from merely bad taste into a playful critique of cultural norms and expectations.

Examples of Kitsch Design

Garden Gnomes

Garden gnomes are quintessential kitsch. These small, painted ceramic or plastic figures are meant to decorate gardens but are widely regarded as lacking sophistication.

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Velvet Elvis Paintings

Velvet Elvis paintings, typically depicting Elvis Presley on a black velvet background in a highly sentimentalized fashion, are popular in kitsch collections for their gaudy portrayal of the iconic musician.

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Plastic Flamingos

Originally designed by Don Featherstone in 1957, the plastic pink flamingo lawn ornament became a symbol of kitsch. Its bright color and pose make it a staple of kitsch aesthetics.

Tchotchkes

Tchotchkes are small decorative objects or souvenirs, often mass-produced and of little practical use. Common examples include small Eiffel Towers, snow globes, and porcelain figures

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Tiki Bars

Tiki bars and their associated decor—such as bamboo furniture, Polynesian masks, and cocktail umbrellas—are celebrated for their kitschy charm. These elements often serve as exaggerated and inauthentic representations of Polynesian culture.

Appreciating Kitsch

While kitsch is often criticized for its perceived lack of taste, there is a growing appreciation for it as a legitimate artistic expression. This appreciation can be rooted in nostalgia, irony, or simply a love for the whimsical and playful. Many collectors and designers embrace kitsch for its boldness and ability to provoke strong emotional responses.

Historical Perspective

The term “kitsch” originated in the 19th century to critique art perceived as being in poor taste or imitating “high art” in a mediocre manner. In the 20th century, kitsch became associated with mass-produced commodities and cheap entertainment. In his 1939 essay “Avant-Garde and Kitsch,” Clement Greenberg argued that kitsch was antithetical to progressive, avant-garde art. However, the rise of Pop Art in the 1950s saw a newfound appreciation for kitsch, often wielded in knowingly ironic, humorous, or earnest manners.

Kitsch in Art Theory and Aesthetics

Modernist writer Hermann Broch argued that the essence of kitsch is imitation, aiming to copy the beautiful rather than the good. Walter Benjamin noted that kitsch offers emotional gratification without intellectual effort. Roger Scruton described kitsch as “fake art” expressing fake emotions, designed to deceive consumers into thinking they feel something deep and profound.

Conclusion

Kitsch’s design occupies a unique space in art and decor. Its blend of sentimentality, garishness, and mass production can make it polarizing yet undeniably fascinating. Whether viewed with genuine affection or ironic appreciation, kitsch’s impact on culture and design is significant and enduring.

Sources

Avant Arte. (n.d.). Kitsch. Avant Arte. Retrieved July 16, 2024, from https://avantarte.com/glossary/kitsch

Kitsch. (2024, July 8). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsch

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4o) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com

Tate. (n.d.). Kitsch. Tate. Retrieved July 16, 2024, from https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/k/kitsch

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