TRAC2014: Jan-Ove Tuv - "Kitsch" as Superstructure for representational, narrative painting 

That was eye-opening! I recently wrote a post in social media "Realistic painting is nowadays only allowed in old paintings". I've always loved kitsch, I guess, pop-art, illustrations, and above all old masters like Leonardo, Rembrandt and others. In fact skilful drawing and painting, the ability to do that well, the same way good musicians or dancers can do it well, play an instrument, sing well or dance well. Because they are born with that skill and have trained it even more, as far as it goes.

Thank you Jan-Ove for having the courage to speak rather than just paint. I can only relate in that I was inspired by the unity of opposites. When I started painting before the time of Instagram, around 2008, the world still seemed to be dominated by non-representational painting. A great deal of purpose was felt in reversing this ratio. Now in 2021, it seems there are 700 million people who feel the same way. Another purpose can be gleaned from reversing the ratio that still exists, which is to contradict the very thing that people have always disliked about "bad art" through the ages, from every category.

ODD NERDRUM DESCENSING A STAIRCASE

Gracias por compartirlo.

well done Jan.Great support to frowned upon"Sentimental Artists" public understand them Critics hate them

I have a question. What differs kitsch from general nostalgia used in a creative process?

I suspect the problem has less to do with Kant/Aristotle than it does with the fact that the Paris Salon became boring and Europe was importing masterpieces from all over the world (Africa, Japan, etc) and that these were much more exciting than what academic Europe was doing. The truth is more complex than this simple kitsch/art dichotomy, as there are great aesthetic experiences to be had in both groups. Basquiat is clearly an exciting painter as is Wyeth. Is there bad art propped up by the "establishment"? Sure, but there are probably just as many well paid avenues for representational and non-ironic draughtsmanship and painting now (see animation, comics, illustration) as there has ever been. The complaint seems to be that kitsch is not affirmed in the institutions of high art, but by your own admission, kitsch-ists consider themselves more like mechanics anyway. Not to mention there are a ton of artists who combine passion with aspects of modernism (i.e. feminist art).

They say realism immitates, but their philosophy is an immitation! They emulate Hegel and Kant. They are the immitators not us. Stop behaving as if you are a servant class, trying to please your masters. Critics should have no say in art. That's like allowing dancers to analyse scientific papers.

I prefer cubist paintings of CATDOG and DONALD DUCK