Kitsch and Art [Paperback]

Tomas Kulka (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0271015942 | ISBN-13: 978-0271015941 | Publication Date: January 1, 1996

What is kitsch? What is behind its appeal? More important, what is wrong with kitsch? Though central to our modern and postmodern culture, kitsch has not been seriously and comprehensively analyzed; its aesthetic worthlessness has been generally assumed but seldom explained. Kitsch and Art seeks to give this phenomenon its due by exploring the basis of artistic evaluation and aesthetic value judgments. Tomas Kulka examines kitsch in the visual arts, literature, music, and architecture. To distinguish kitsch from art, Kulka proposes that kitsch depicts instantly identifiable, emotionally charged objects or themes, but that it does not substantially enrich our associations relating to the depicted objects or themes. He then addresses the deceptive nature of kitsch by examining the makeup of its artistic and aesthetic worthlessness. Ultimately Kulka argues that the mass appeal of kitsch cannot be regarded as aesthetic appeal, but that its analysis can illuminate the nature of art appreciation.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Czech --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Tomas Kulka teaches philosophy and aesthetics at Tel Aviv University and at the Charles University of Prague.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: The Pennsylvania State University Press (January 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0271015942
• ISBN-13: 978-0271015941
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #667,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kitsch - Its contemporary Relevance, October 15, 2006

By 

Lau Sheow Tong (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kitsch and Art (Paperback)

Tomas Kulka has provided a comprehensive review of Kitsch with his 3 conditions: 1 - Kitsch as highly charged with stock emtions; 2 - that which is immediately identifiable; 3 - of no enrichment and associations to depicted themes and objects. They are not exhastive by themselves of course, but do help us in 'understanding' Kitsch better as its definition has often been too vague and broad notwithstanding its often negative aspects. Kitsch in fact is such an overwhelming 'product' of capitalism and consumerism which plays a central role on our life now. Especially in postmodern time today where demarcation of high art and low art has become insignificant, as such Kitsch as negative and bad taste art has become redundant. Or, there are more negative and worse art around now than Kitsch!

Kitsch as of not much artistic and aesthetic values is illustrated analytically by Kulka. However, the analysis could be more effective with more comparisons of 'fine high art' as with 'Kitsch art'. More examples of Kitsch art could be quoted.

I find the applications of Kitsch to other forms of arts such as music and architecture redundant. More could be talked about on aspect of Kitsch with Pop Art instead. Their relation would be more immediate and directly relevant especially in postmodern time now.

Kitsch is definitely becoming more relevant to us as we are becming more capitalistic and globalised with mass pop culture. Its phenomenon is rampantly identical across continents! A globalised Kitsch is set to 'conquer' us, may it be in postmodern time now or thereafter.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars succinct, intelligent, thoughtful, March 12, 2006

By 

Not a native (Portland OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kitsch and Art (Paperback)

This is my kitsch bible and I refer to it constantly. Kulka writes in a clear, intelligent style and never bogs down the reader with theory or pomp. He dives right into issues, directing addressing our concerns and curiosity about kitsch. If only there were inexpensive copies of this floating around, I would buy one for every friend ...

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING!, February 10, 2004

By 

Brandon Colas (Cedarville, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kitsch and Art (Paperback)

This is one of the best, most coherent explanations of art and non-art that exists. I'll include more content-related details later, but man alive! Kulka is excellent.