Several years ago I came across a lovely book called “Very Thai” by Philip Cornwel-Smith (2005). (Well, it is ironic it took the eyes of the foreigners to recognize something ‘very Thai.’ Nevertheless, the images from that book never cease to popp up in my mind’s eyes. Later, I have realized the book wa’s about “Thai kitsch.”
Something about “kitsch” resonates with my childhood experience of growing up, and living through a transition of Bangkok’s pop culture. To me, “kitsch” is more than something tacky, poor taste, and aesthetically pretentious.
Although many art critics considered the term “kitsch” as derogatory denoting shallow and gaudy works that do not deserve to be considered ‘arts.’ (Well, apparently, there is such thing as ‘artistic discrimination.) On the contrary, I would argue that kitsch’s appeal is attributable to its sincerity. Kitsch is about everyday’s life and the cultural expression of common people…about me, about a lot of us. Kitsch is undeniably an important part of the modern day “collective consciousness.”
And through this BKK Kitsch Blog, I am hoping to make visible the invisible message of the contemporary Thai popular culture. It is also a way for me to explore the “collective consciousness” of the popular Thai culture through the underlying message inherent in these everyday objects.
This blog is my attempt to share the images, passion, and thought about Thai “kitsch” to those who might be interested. As articulated by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s fox to the Little Prince that “it is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
I love “kitsch,”
Piyarat Mullard
October 27, 2009
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