Aesthetic Assessment of Kitsch: A Reading on Bad Taste in Kant’s “Critique of Aesthetic Judgment”

Kitsch, devised as a term of modern aesthetics after the 19th century, indicates an aesthetic value judgment that is identified ‘bad taste’. It acknowledged issues and taste were systematically addressed for first time by Immanuel Kant in his “Critique Aesthetic Judgment” 18th century. This study attempts to reevaluate notion kitsch through reading Kant’s arguments over concepts judgment, taste, bad presented work Judgment”. Tracing writings would demonstrate possible convergences or discrepancies there may be significant providing understanding about philosophical roots term.
 With such attempt, this conducts discursive analysis, respectively examines taste; notions Judgment”; taste’ thereof order make comparison with kitsch. The examination looks definition reveals conditions taste’, portrayed role charm emotion overlap characteristics on basis sentimentality desire attention. Consequently, result arguments, argues traits pretentious use charms emotions, existed long before its name has been coined.