Kitsch

“If works of art were judged democratically--that is, according to how many people like them--kitsch would easily defeat all its competitors.” --Thomas Kulka.

Pronunciation: 'kich

Function: noun

Etymology: German (Often synonymous with "trash" as a descriptive term, kitsch may derive from the German word kitschen, meaning den Strassenschlammausammenscharren (to collect rubbish from the street). The German verb verkitschen(to make cheap)

Date: 1925 (art markets of Munich, 1860’s)

  • Something that appeals to popular or low-brow taste and is often of poor quality
  • Term most frequently applied since the early 20th C to works considered pretentious and tasteless. Exploitative commercial objects such as Mona Lisa scarves andabominable plaster reproductions of sculptural masterpieces are described as kitsch, as are worksthat claim artistic value but are weak, cheap, or sentimental. A museum of kitsch was opened in Stuttgart.

Hallmark Kitsch

Card title: God's Love Heals

Front Message: May God be with you in the loss of your loved one

Inside Message: Tenderly… may God's love heal your sorrow.Gently…

may the prayers of friends ease your hurting. Softly… may God's

peace replace your heartache with warm and loving memories.

Card title: Tears Can Heal

Front Message: I believe that tears can heal, that memories can

comfort, that love lives on forever.

Inside Message: With deep sympathy

Card title: Flower Fairy Heart

Front Message: Just for You

Inside Message: You're one of those very special people who bring

joy to those around you simply because you're there. Happy

Valentine's Day

Card title: My Wonderful Wife

Front Message: Happy Valentine's Day to My Wonderful Wife

Inside Message: With all the responsibilities we have these days,

sometimes it's hard to find time to keep the romance in our

relationship. That's why I just want to tell you how special the time

that we spend together is to me and how very much I love you.

Card title: My Perfect Rose

Front Message: My wife, my love

Inside Message: Within the garden of our hearts, love grows … And

how I cherish every kiss and savour every warm embrace from the

one who'll always be my perfect rose. Happy Valentine's Day

General Kitsch

Life? That sounds painful.

It is, I know. I've been there.

Life? It can be enjoyable,

But for me, it's not.

Well, I can't....I can't say that.

It's fine when you aren't there.

But you attack me, you SLICE.

You leave me bleeding.

You leave me all alone, saying,

"Thank you for your time, and have a pleasant day."

You hurt. You kill. You burn.

But why? What have I done to deserve this?

Nothing. Some say everything that happens...

EVERYTHING..is a punishment or reward....

A punishment or reward for something you've done.

What did I do? How can I deserve this?

HOW? WHY? I question you..

Inquisitive...as a small child...

And I lie here...unanswered..

And alone....and bleeding..

And with your cheery voice, you damn me.

You damn me to eternal pain.

And I die. I die, yet I still live.

The worst punishment..

But punishment for what?

What have I done?

You won't tell me.

I give up.

Adieu.

Oh Destiny...

A part of me wants to be comfortable and familiar...

I seek tenderness, while my heart is in despair.

Wanting to run to the fields, and drive to the mountains....

I search for the answers, I cross the bridge, and climb the fence.

totally bare and open, exposed to the world....

Wanting to love, to run, to be free, oh... this lost little girl.

Should I go back to familiarity in my practical world?

Here I will cling to my creativity and learn how to pale...

All the while leaping into myself and crawling like a snail....

Why do I feel this, Nay, what should I do?

For no-one can see this I carry, my hidden tattoo.

It's me, and me alone, to further my search...

I may not be understood, but this I will learn..

To love, to laugh to commit no sin.

I want to bury myself or let someone in!!

Oh destiny....betroth me I beg!

Give me a chance, let me breathe, let me go...

I will be enemy to none, I will be sunshine..

To lay upon the hillside, the mountain tops,

across the lakes and ocean, and into the sublime.

A ray of sun...a token of my life, the lips to my mouth.

Hello are you there? For it is me coming out.

BAD MUSIC

Simon Frith:

Lawrence Welk:

SNL: