Kitsch: Between the Sacred and Profane
Graduate Thesis 2020
Since the early 1800’s, Kitsch has served as one of the most scrutinized forms of art and design. Art critics take various stances on the medium, both positive and negative. While modernists and art critics may regard Kitsch as “bad art” (Bert Olivier), some graphic designers highly value the characteristics of Kitsch and allow it to influence their creations (Betty Speckman). Kitsch is the fine line between the profane and the sacred. While Kitsch generally has a negative connotation in the Catholic Church, its characteristics can still serve as a gateway to the sacred for many religious individuals (Elisha McIntyre).
Kitsch is vaguely defined, particularly criticized, but also appreciated to a degree. However, there is very little research conducted on what attributes of an object deem it ‘kitsch’. This thesis consists of a mixed methods study and two explorative design processes revolving around the concept of ‘kitsch’. Kitsch has a variety of definitions and is valued in many ways across various cultures, such as in Spanish folk art or in westernized popular culture. Kitsch is considered a subjective term, where there is no definition of it set in stone, only opinions. Many critics have a serious distaste for kitsch, which has resulted in kitsch being initially despised or disregarded as appropriate by its spectators.The purpose of this study is to understand how the general American population identifies Kitsch.
48 individuals from the College of Design participated in a structured interview involving four religious objects. The objects were used within the study for participants to make observations and evaluate what aspect of the objects make them kitsch, or not kitsch. With the results from this study, I was able to create a three part data visualization featuring characteristics of kitsch identified by the participants.
The explorative design processes featured within this thesis are intended to serve as a re-imagination of kitsch. With using methods of graphic design, the images featured combine concepts of repurposing sacred religious imagery with ‘devotional practices’ of graphic designers.
“What Makes it Kitsch” is a data visualization based on the results from my thesis study. Page 1 shows the results of each of the objects ‘levels of kitsch’ based on observations from the participants. Four objects were used within the study, including 2 found items made of plastic and stone. Each of these objects were scanned, shrunk, 3D printed, and replicated in multiples. The process of reprinting the objects emulated kitsch, where a pre-existing idea is recreated and exaggerated.
Page 2 shows the results of the 3D printed objects against each other, according to participants observations. Page 3 consists of a matrix, filled with possible characteristics of kitsch. The characteristics identified within the results of the study were taken from the matrix and added to the results of page 1. For this study, the characteristics defined on page 1 were the most apparent characteristics of kitsch identified by the popular imagination.
View the University of Minnesota College of Design 2020 Graduate Exhibition
