Taking a leaf out of "The unbearable lightness of being", genius Milan Kundera, I also felt a need to tilt my lance at kitsch, in the time honored manner of our friend Don Quixote de la Mancha. I could go on an exposition of what Kundera says about the nature of kitsch, which is indeed most impressive. But let me instead use my own cardboard lance and shield for the battle ahead. And hope Kundera nods appreciatively when he sees the charge of this knight in cardboard armour.
If Art is the representation of life in its widest sense, kitsch is the representation of the concepts about life. And even using the word "concepts" is not enough. I would have to qualify it. Conceptualization itself is inherent in all art. But in true art, conceptualization is "in the moment", and ephemeral. It is also highly individual. That is why for a body of work of single artist, it also evolutionary with time. For kitsch on the other hand, the very same "concept" is folklore. The concepts of beauty inherent in all art is not felt and lived, but only taken from culture, tradition or pre-formed ideals (or memes). The appreciation and enjoyment is also superficial. It is, because it has to be. Since it is static and forced, even if unconsciously.
The worst enemy of art and individuality of creation are the stranglehold of cultural habits and conditioning. Only by getting rid of this, can one form appreciation and feeling for that which is highly individual. Such appreciation leaps across times and cultures, though not fully. The last part is due to inherent tie between language and technique of art and the time and culture associated with it. Kitsch is art generated from time and Culture, without any individuality and true sense of beauty.
As for Colonel, all that is written above must be an exercise in foolishness. Since for him, in light of his immense wisdon, knignts and cardboards, beauty and truth, kitch and otherwise, may all appear useless concepts. The only thing worth considering, perhaps, are equations. Or maybe not even those...
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