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The maker of kitsch does not create inferior art, he is not an incompetent or a bungler, he cannot be evaluated by aesthetic standards; rather, he is ethically depraved, a criminal willing radical evil. And since it is radical evil that is manifest here, evil per se, forming the absolute negative pole of every value-system, kitsch will always be evil, not just kitsch in art, but kitsch in every value-system that is not an imitation system.
Hermann Broch
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote argues that kitsch is not merely inferior art but a manifestation of ethical depravity and radical evil.

Hermann Broch's quote critiques the nature of kitsch, asserting that it transcends the boundaries of aesthetic judgment and enters the realm of ethics. Unlike traditional art, which might be evaluated based on skill and creativity, kitsch represents a deeper moral failure—an intentional betrayal of genuine artistic values. Broch argues that kitsch, as a form of radical evil, undermines the value systems it represents, suggesting that any imitation of true art or values is inherently flawed and corrupt.

Themes

KitschArtEthicsValuesRadical Evil

In practice

Example use cases

During an art critique, one might reference this quote to emphasize the ethical implications of certain artistic expressions.

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