Kitsch

I am thinking about the idea and defination around the work Kitsch and how that is relivent to my work.

The word kitsch is also german in origin.

Kitsch (google search Kitsch define)

noun

noun: kitsch

1. 1.

   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.

   "the lava lamp is a bizarre example of sixties kitsch"

adjective

adjective: kitsch

1. 1.

   considered to be in poor taste but appreciated in an ironic or knowing way.

   "the front room is stuffed with kitsch knick-knacks, little glass and gilt ornaments"

   
   

Change of plan scandinavian style and kitsch style

I am still interested in vintage items but I am finding it differcult to have a plan for my installation or what I would create. I have decided to continue with my last semester's theme of Scandinavian and Australian cultural themes and my own connection to the cultures. Items like below have always interested me even though it is neither Nordic or Australian the look is pretty much what I am thinking of going for the kitsch mid-century Scandinavian look. The artwork will show hopefully the influence and the cultural significance of Australian iconic imagery connected to Scandinavian minority immigration and memory. My personal motivation for the concept is my connection to my ancestral Scandinavia heritage, having been born and raised in a English based Australian society. The exploration of cultural identity is a personal motivation by discovering my background and influence these cultures have had on Australia. My work will hopefully have Scandinavian motifs and Australian cultural references which are then melded together to create hybrid objects, which are still recognisable as iconic images of Australia.   Holt-Howard was an importer that started working in New York City in 1949 and moved to Stamford, Connecticut, in 1955. John and Robert Howard and Grant Holt started Holt-Howard, whose first products were Christmas items made and sold in the United States. The company sold many types of table accessories, such as condiment jars, decanters, spoon holders, and saltshakers. The figures shown on some of its pieces had a cartoon-like quality. The company was bought out by General Housewares Corporation in 1969. Holt-Howard pieces are often marked with the name and the year or HH and the year stamped in black. The HH mark was used until 1974. There was also a black and silver label. Production of Holt-Howard ceased in 1990. Similar pieces are being made today by Grant Holt, one of the founders, and are marked GHA .http://www.kovels.com/Price-Guide/Pottery-Porcelain/Holt-Howard

Vintage style...

What does vintage mean?

Sometime of high quality made in a by gone era.

Does that still ring true?

When the western world is flooded with 'Vintage' items which are often poor quality and often produced in its millions.

Vintage style fashion, homewares, photography, food, adverts.

Then there are the items which were made in main stream fashion from the 1930's to the 1990's which is considered vintage. Weather it was made by channel or Target they label them both as vintage but the price tag will be very different. Often the items are just poor quilty when the were made on mass and just happen to be old.

Claus Oldenburg - ideas

Looking over my last blog the piece of work which I really loved was a early piece by Claus Oldenburg. The piece is made up of many objects made from plaster and burlap then painted with enamel paint. I am really keen to make my own plaster creation.

I have been collecting 50's and 60's items which could be called kitsch. I have recently found a donkey and cart which is not your tipical ceramic piece. For one the 'donkey' is not even a donkey it's a horse well more like a toy horse.

I would like to create a large size version of this in the burlap plaster or out of fabric.