Kitsch can be defined as “a low-brow style of mass-produced art or design using popular or cultural icons.” However, it can also be defined as art, decorative objects, or design considered by many people to be ugly, lacking in style, or false but enjoyed by other people, often because they are funny. The word ‘kitsch’ originates from Germany and has been used since the 20s. The Oxford art dictionary defines the movement as “art, objects or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way…”. (Pereira, 2015).

One of the most famous Kitsch inspired pieces is “The Chinese Girl” (1952) by Vladimir Tretchikoff. The most obvious feature from the composition is her unusual blue-green skin tone which is how it fits into the Kitsch genre. (Jones, 2013). The true colour of the Chinese tunic was blue and pink according to the model, yet Tretchikoff chose to paint it yellow to emphasise this extraordinary work. Originally, this painting was criticised more than praised due to its unrealistic look and ‘messy’ style, however, the modern-day audience have had numerous positive comments on this “soothing and calming” piece. (bonhams.com, 2013). I find it very unusual, yet this is the purpose so therefore fits perfectly into the Kitsch genre.

A few other sculpture’s that I find adds to the Kitsch movement is Jeff Koon’s “Balloon Dogs” series. These were released in 1993 and are now some of the most iconic pieces of art to be made. There are 5 different coloured dogs placed in 5 different buildings; the one that seems the most crude is the pink balloon dog. This is due to it being placed in Louis XIV’s former palace as it is said it was too modern compared to the dated and vintage exteriors. (Stanska, 2021). Jeff was asked to comment on the balloon dog series, and he responded with, “When I made Balloon Dog, I wanted to make a piece that reflected the joy of celebrating a birthday or a party. The Balloon Dog is materialism and monumentality. In many ways it is like the Trojan Horse. I’ve always enjoyed balloon animals because they’re like us. You take a breath, and you inhale, it’s an optimism. You exhale, and it’s kind of a symbol of death.” (publicdelivery.org, n.d.).

The final kitsch piece I want to discuss is “A Friend in Need” (1903) composed by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge. It features comical, humanised dogs depicting poker-face while playing cards around a table. The image’s composition is thought to have been inspired by works of Georges de La Tour and Paul Cezanne who also have their own paintings of a card game scene however with humans in replacement of the dogs. (Taggart, 2018). The name of the piece comes from the bulldog clearly seen handing an ace under the table to his friend; with that additional ace, the dog with his back to the viewer will now have four aces. It is very much a kitsch piece for the fact that you will never see dogs in this situation, yet it looks like it works, and it should be seen like that in real life. (dogsplayingpoker.org, 2001).

References

bonhams.com, 2013. Love it or loathe it. [Online]
Available at: https://www.bonhams.com/magazine/12948/
[Accessed 02 May 2022].

dogsplayingpoker.org, 2001. “A Friend in Need”. [Online]
Available at: https://www.dogsplayingpoker.org/gallery/coolidge/a_friend_in_need.html
[Accessed 02 May 2022].

Jones, J., 2013. Kitsch art: love it or loathe it?. [Online]
Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2013/jan/28/kitsch-art-love-loathe-jonathan-jones
[Accessed 02 May 2022].

Pereira, L., 2015. When Kitsch is the Means to an Artistic End We Get – Kitsch Art. [Online]
Available at: https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/kitsch-art
[Accessed 02 May 2022].

publicdelivery.org, n.d. Jeff Koons’ shiny balloon dog – Would you pay $58 million?. [Online]
Available at: https://publicdelivery.org/jeff-koons-balloon-dog/
[Accessed 02 May 2022].

Stanska, Z., 2021. Jeff Koons and His Balloon Dogs. [Online]
Available at: https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/jeff-koons-balloon-dog/
[Accessed 02 May 2022].

Taggart, E., 2018. The Story Behind the Iconic ‘Dogs Playing Poker’ Paintings. [Online]
Available at: https://mymodernmet.com/dogs-playing-poker-painting/
[Accessed 02 May 2022].