Saturday, April 3, 2010

Before Class 04/07/10



American Kitsch
The word "kitsch" is from German and means "in bad taste." It began in America around the 1950's. It was influenced by those who weren't "mainstream." It began by rebels like James Dean. The American Youth soon adopted this style of a "creative radical." Laid-back looks of jeans and t-shirts became popular. Futuristic styles were also popular, using curves and lines. Shapes that had round features were favored. Artist Norman Rockwell who designs hundreds of covers for the "The Saturday Evening Post" was also influential in his representations of the "American life." Exaggerated facial expressions and forms were typical of this movement in comic books and advertisements. Pulp fiction books became popular during this period as well. The look had a "hand drawn" feel to it. Lettering on billboards, signs, and posters was often cursive script and casual looking. This movement was colorful, casual, and represented American youth culture during the 1940's-1950's. Now in the present day the style is still present.
I read that this movement is not taught in design schools. Why?

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