The Art of Tacky Sentimentality
Kitsch is a term of German origin used to describe a category of art, objects, or design that is considered tacky, formulaic, and in poor aesthetic taste. It is characterized by its mass-produced nature and its appeal to overly sentimental, simplistic, and uncritical emotions. Kitsch is the art of the cliché; it imitates the surface-level effects of high art but strips them of their complexity, nuance, and originality to create an easily digestible, comforting, but ultimately shallow product.
In essence, kitsch provides a shortcut to an emotional response. It tells the viewer exactly how to feel, often through exaggerated or saccharine imagery—a crying clown, a sunset with a bible verse, a painting of a sad-eyed puppy.
Kitsch in Cinema
When applied to film, kitsch can refer to the aesthetic of the production design, the emotional tone of the story, or the overall sensibility of the filmmaker. A film that embraces a kitsch aesthetic might feature:
- Gaudy Visuals: An overabundance of bright, clashing colors, ornate decoration, and a cluttered, busy frame.
- Exaggerated Sentimentality: A reliance on cheap emotional appeals and unearned melodrama.
- Formulaic Storytelling: A narrative that adheres strictly to predictable and comforting clichés.
While the term is often derogatory, some filmmakers have deliberately and artfully incorporated a kitsch aesthetic into their work. Directors like Tim Burton, Baz Luhrmann, and Wes Anderson often play with kitschy visuals to create highly stylized and unique cinematic worlds. They are not simply creating kitsch, but using its familiar language to new artistic ends.
Kitsch vs. Camp
Kitsch and camp are deeply intertwined but distinct concepts. The relationship can be summed up as follows: Kitsch is the object; camp is the sensibility used to appreciate it. A velvet painting of Elvis is kitsch. The ironic enjoyment and celebration of that painting’s tackiness is camp. A film can be unintentionally kitschy, and a viewer can then choose to appreciate it in a campy way.