Don’t we all have an itch for kitsch?
— Matei Călinescu, literary critic
Kitsch is once again subject to discussion at The Representational Art Conference which takes place in Europe for the first time, in Leeuwarden, Holland 1. – 4. May.
These are some of the questions that will be explored by speakers such as Michael Pearce, Tom Hageman, Stephen Hicks and Odd Nerdrum, among many others.
Throwback: kitsch-painter, Jan-Ove Tuv, philosopher Stephen Hicks and others discuss kitsch and art at TRAC2014 in Ventura, California.
Odd Nerdrum and Roger Scruton at TRAC2014:
Fun fact: the Dutch graphic maker, Maurits C. Escher, was born in Leeuwarden.
About art and kitsch, Escher said the following:
To tell you the truth, I am rather perplexed about the concept of “art”. What one person considers to be “art” is often not “art” to another. “Beautiful” and “ugly” are old-fashioned concepts that are seldom applied these days; perhaps justifiably, who knows? Something repulsive, which gives you a moral hangover, and hurts your ears or eyes, may well be art. Only “kitsch” is not art — we’re all agreed about that. Indeed, but what is “kitsch”? If only I knew! […] If I am not mistaken, the word “art” and “artist” did not exist during the Renaissance and before: there were simply architects, sculptors, and painters, practicing a trade. […] I am a graphic artist heart and soul, though I find the term “artist” rather embarrassing.
More quotes on kitsch at
http://worldwidekitsch.com/kitsch/quotes/
Let us just hope that some will be less confused than Mr. Escher at TRAC in Leeuwarden in May!
Published on Saturday, January 27th, 2018