Chinese Girl
I remember on a heated NYFC forum debate mentioning an iconic picture of green faced girl that represented naff 60's working class culture. The person I addressed had no idea what I was on about. Well this picture is what I meant.It is thought to have sold more in print form than either Sunflowers or the Mona Lisa, selling more than half a million copies. Art critic Brian Sewell of course, hates it.
What do you think?
Is it art?
Even if you don't like it is it art?
If it has vast appeal, does that devalue it's worth?
BBC news stories here and here
posted by Helsalata @ 11:54 am
8 comments
8 Comments:
The term “kitsch” is often bandied about in connection with this sort of picture. “Kitsch”, as far as I can tell, is used of artwork that may be some blend of cliché, unoriginality, cutesy-ness, sentimentality, and blatant appeals to the emotions (e.g. Benny Hinn is religious kitsch. Kinkade is artistic kitsch). Now, having just managed to grasp all that, put me in front of this picture without first knowing something of its background or being told that many art critics label it is kitsch, I have to say that I think I would be hard put to it to identify it as kitsch. I simply don’t know enough about its surrounding context in the art world of the sixties and seventies to identify the taxonomy of this painting. E.g whether or not the painting was a poor sentimental rehash of much better prototypes. But it is very likely that if the painting was first discovered in a Cro-Magnon cave in France it would be hailed as a masterpiece! Context is all!
However, if anyone likes this painting but feels inhibited about displaying it, here’s how you can display it and get away with it: Once again, “Context” is the secret. Hang the painting on a wall in your house. Take a high-resolution photo of the picture, frame and wall. Blow up the digital picture and them frame the picture of the picture. The painting has become a pastiche, and is now artistically acceptable.
I seem to have a vague memory of posting a comment in a blog somewhere about how framing effects social evaluation. Now where was that comment... can you help me out Helen?
No, I forget Tim, bad memory and all. YOu're right on the context and I'm guessing that the more popular something is (so the context is a million council house walls) then the less value it has.
This transfers to music: a band that suddenly becomes popular and gains chart success become "passe". "I used to like them before they were famous" becomes the motto.
I'm sure you can work out a formula that describes the relationship between popularity and regard?
I thought that picture was one of those where if you squint at it long enough it turns into a naked old lady or a humourous picture of a rabbit with floppy ears.
Isn't Kitsh an cherry liqueur? Benny Hinn's hair would certainly fit that description.
I saw Benny Hinn in an idle moment, flicking through the day time programmes on the God Channel. He has a funny accent, I wouldn't describe him as kitsch though. A flowered tea set is kitsch in all regards: it harks back to a time when people used bone china teacups and saucers and has a "too pretty" picture of roses and other blooms. Twee + cringy = kitsch.
That's different to really bad hair...
I like the picture, but don't recall ever seeing it before despite its description as the most popular print.
I liked the BBC articles especially the Wayne Hemmingway quotes. To me good art is always about its message (narrative).
I got the definition of "kitsch" from Wikipedia - an article worth reading. The article identifies Kinkade's cosy christmas card rendition of nature as kitsch.
Forgot to mention before that I was rather concerned about you mentioning that you 'stumbled upon' the God Channel the other day. This is surely the work of the evil one.
I have found the parental lock feature on the SKY remote useful in preventing me in my weaker moments, being led down that particular path.
LOL! I am sorry Father, for I have sinned... The question is whether Cash in the Attic was a suitable alternative?
I DO have a good book to read but it wasn't to hand...honest!
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