Warhol and Burton and Rockwell OH MY!

In class we discussed the work of Andy Warhol. His pop culture designs seem to be everywhere now, exactly what he wanted. We discussed their aesthetic values, perhaps people just really enjoy neon colors in high contrast. We also discussed the paradox of art critics finding deep culture meanings to his artworks, while Warhol was making a commentary on the cultural value of consumer goods, such as a soup can.

We also discussed the Tim Burton Exhibit at the MOMA. Kitsch or Avant-Garde, and what makes the distinction? Does putting Tim Burton's childhood sketches in the acclaimed Museum of Modern Art make once originally kitsch drawing Avant-Garde works of Art?

Let's also look at one of my personal favorites, and perhaps an example of Kitsch, Norman Rockwell. His paintings are feel-good American scenes with soft brushstrokes and pastel colors (a far cry from Andy Warhol). Yet, I would say that if I were to describe something to be kitsch, the feel good work that could be (and in my neighborhood is in fact) hung in every kitchen in suburban America. Vladamir Narbakov is quoted "That Dalí is really Norman Rockwell's twin brother kidnapped by Gypsies in babyhood". He is called an "illustrator" instead of an artist by some critics, a designation he did not mind, as it was what he called himself."

But look at this painting. It's controversy, the contradictions within its soft child-like brushstrokes depicting a child highlighted in deep social controversy. Style: Kitsch. Subject: Not so much.

Perhaps this serves as a reminder that the line between Kitsch and Avant-Garde can be extremely transparent as well as extremely flexible when assigning such a word to an artist (or "illustrator").