Absence Quote by Denis Dutton
“Solemnity and a complete absence of irony also mark kitsch.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of the Novel, Denis Dutton, 1995
Kitsch lacks depth and irony, presenting superficial sentiment that avoids critical engagement.
In simple terms: Kitsch is shallow, lacking irony and depth.
Key Takeaway
Seek depth and irony over superficiality.
Themes
a
superficiality
depth
irony
Mood
critical
analytical
skeptical
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- design critique
- media analysis
- consumer product evaluation
Key Concepts
aesthetic theory
cultural criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- When does kitsch become purposeful?
- Can irony coexist with kitsch?
A Different Perspective
Kitsch can be intentionally playful, not always negative.
![“[Art] would have helped us survive in the Pleistocene - in the period, say, 1.6 million years ago until fairly recently. The kind of imaginative abilities that artists have and that we all have in the appreciation of art - to appreciate Jane Austen, the late quartets of Beethoven.” quote by Denis Dutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4f8/denis-dutton-31778_ability_art-would-have-helped-us-survive-in-the_2609177.jpg)
