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To tell you the truth, I am rather perplexed about the concept of 'art'. What one person considers to be 'art' is often not 'art' to another. 'Beautiful' and 'ugly' are old-fashioned concepts that are seldom applied these days; perhaps justifiably, who knows? Something repulsive, which gives you a moral hangover, and hurts your ears or eyes, may well be art. Only 'kitsch' is not art - we're all agreed about that. Indeed, but what is 'kitsch'? If only I knew!

M. C. Escher#11

ArtAestheticsDefinitionSubjectivityTaste

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker is confused by the definition of art and notes that concepts like beauty are outdated, while kitsch is the only agreed-upon non-art.
In plain terms
Art is hard to define and beauty is old-fashioned, but kitsch is not art.
What can you take from it?
Art definitions are subjective and often outdated.

Where it applies

  • art criticism
  • personal taste

Putting it to work

  • question art definitions
  • evaluate personal taste

Questions to consider

  • What is art to you?
  • Is kitsch really not art?

Another view

Claiming everyone agrees on kitsch being not art is likely untrue.

More from M. C. Escher

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