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Celeste Olalquiaga
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The Artificial Kingdom: A Treasury of the Kitsch Experience Hardcover – 1 Nov. 1999

by Celeste Olalquiaga (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 17 ratings
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A cultural history of kitsch (from the German "verkitschen", to make cheap, and "kitschen", to collect junk from the street). Tracing its beginnings to the 19th century, Olalquiaga describes the culture of loss and melancholy in which kitsch came to life.
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  1. ISBN-10
    9780747545354
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0747545354
  3. Edition
    First Edition
  4. Publisher
    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
  5. Publication date
    1 Nov. 1999
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    20.3 x 25.4 x 4.7 cm
  8. Print length
    321 pages
  9. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0747545359
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury Publishing PLC; First Edition (1 Nov. 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 321 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780747545354
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0747545354
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 20.3 x 25.4 x 4.7 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 17 ratings

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Celeste Olalquiaga

Celeste Olalquiaga

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
17 global ratings

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Top reviews from other countries

Mark J. Woody
5.0 out of 5 stars A great kitsch compendium
Reviewed in the United States on 28 July 2015
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Finally, a book that addresses what kitsch is. I looked forward to owning my own copy and enjoy perusing it constantly to be reminded of the many aspects of the kitsch culture. As an artist, this book is invaluable for reference and research. I appreciate the many chapters and tidbits of information concerning the many categories of kitsch. The concept of collecting is such an integral part of our collective psyche; to see it plugged into a handy reference is wonderful. The author has done incredible research in not only amassing all this information and imagery, but also has grouped the various genres into progressive and captivating chapters. The author reminds me of artists I have personally known who are imaginative, intelligent and engaging.
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joliefille
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Most Enjoyable Reads I've Experienced
Reviewed in the United States on 14 January 2015
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I read about 7 pages of this book after a professor lent it to me and knew I would have to buy myself a copy. Ideas are expressed with intelligence and eloquence- this is a book I can read to glean information from, but what I really want to do is savor the language. It's exquisitely worded on a subject that I hold quite dear: that of the Kitsch. Approaching this from a fine art background (although being firmly rooted in craft), it is refreshing to have a reference that tackles the relationship of kitsch to art head-on, and recognizes the value and importance of this phenomenon as a lens through which can come to better understand our culture.
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J. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book
Reviewed in the United States on 10 September 2014
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I love this book. I'm a practising visual artist and have explored ideas of kitsch within my work so this book has provided an invaluable perspective on what kitsch means culturally, the potential origins of kitsch and it's relationship to the industrial revolution.

I read this years ago but still regularly pick it up to thumb through various chapters. I love the poetic way it is written, despite being an incredibly academic book. It is a bit of a dense read and can be overly wordy at times but I admit my bias, I am utterly in love with this book so forgive it its faults.
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Max
5.0 out of 5 stars The Artificial Kingdom: A Treasury of the Kitsch Experience
Reviewed in the United States on 4 October 2000
Verified Purchase
This is the most original work of non-fiction I have ever read. The author is able to write at great length about very unpromising subjects--such as snow-globes or the emotional significance of dust--with a sort of piercing intelligence that allows her to uncover beauty and meaning where others might see only bad art. Although frequently humorous, the book never ridicules kitsch; rather it discusses deep-seated human needs, and then shows how kitsch is an attempt to satisfy them. I read this book over a year ago, and I still find it to be a source of inspiration.
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zoeswritethesenow
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 20 March 2018
Verified Purchase
great book, accesable writing, a great place to start understanding the world of kitsch
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