Kitsch

The definition of Kitsch is that the art, objects or design are considered to be in poor taste because of excessive sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way. Yet, despite its status as a source of pleasure for a mass audience, kitsch is considered a negative product. It is a type of creation that reaffirms rather than challenges the collective norm, a source of entertainment in opposition to the elevated perception generated by high art.

Artwork that was a response to the 19th century art with aesthetics that convey exaggerated sentimentality was applied by the concept of Kitsch. Thus, Kitsch art is associated with sentimental art. [Kitsch, Wikipedia]

Below are some of the pictures I found based on the concept of Kitsch:

Reference:

Kitsch (n.d.). Retrieved 24 August, 2011, from

http://www.answers.com/topic/kitsch

Kitsch (2004). Retrieved 24 August, 2011, from

http://csmt.uchicago.edu/glossary2004/kitsch.html

Ai Wei Wei

Picture above is Ai Weiwei, born on the 18th of May 1957, is a Chinese artist and political activist, who is also active in architecture, curating, photography, film, and social and cultural criticism. Ai Weiwei's father was Chinese poet Ai Qing, who was denounced during the Anti-Rightish Movement and in 1958 sent to a labour camp in Xinjiang with his wife, Gao Ying.


Some of Ai Weiwei's artwork has been exhibited in a few countries like Australia, Europe, North and South America. Ai Weiwei even designed clothes, luggage and a temporary home in an old textile factory. He let them wander around the city during the exhibition time of three months. During the exhibition, his monumental outdoor sculpture titled Template, made of wooden doors and windows from destroyed Ming and Qing Dynasty houses from 1368 to 1911, collapsed after a storm. In 2008 he curated the architecture project Ordos 100 in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia. He also invited 100 architects from all over the world to participate in this project.


Here are those few artworks by Ai Weiwei :

Assignment 1

Merdeka Square or "Dataran Merdeka" is located in Kuala Lumpur. It is located in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It was designed by A.C. Norman who was inspired by Indian Moghul architecture. Those pillars are called Corinthian. 

Sunway Pyramid is a distinctive retail landmark located in Bandar Sunway. One of the mall's mostly easily recognised design is the Egyptian - inspired pyramid with a lion "standing guard" at the main entrance. It is also a sphinx but instead of the human face, it is the lion face. The rest of the building is embellished in the monumental style, complete with pseudo-hieroglyphics decorating facades.

The Sarawak Golf Club is situated atop one of the highest points in the heart of Kuching City along Jalan Taman Budaya. It has also adapted the Egyptian architecture of the pyramid shape but it has been transformed into its own golf club building. 

 

This Sultan Abdul Samad Building is located in front of the Merdeka Square or "Dataran Merdeka". It was designed by A.C. Norman . A.C. Norman spent time in Africa and saw Muslim mosques in India which led him to use Moorich architecture in the building's design. Besides, those pillars are Doric styles.

The Putra Mosque is the principal mosque of  Putrajaya. Putra Mosque's Islamic - architecture artistically blends traditional designs, local craftsmanship and the use of indigenous materials and those are the Doric pillars all over the mosque.