MCPA Panel Discussion at Paganicon VII (March 2017)
"Are You a Good Kitsch or a Bad Kitsch?"
Paganicon is an ongoing Midwestern (Twin Cities metro area) Pagan conference which provides an educational and social venue for Pagans, Wiccans, Heathens, Druids and people of other folk, craft, indigenous or magickal traditions.
Founding member Paul B. Rucker of the MCPA presents a basic exploration of kitsch in contemporary Pagan arts and culture at Paganicon, on Saturday, March 28 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in the Lower Level Art Programming* room (located right next to the Third Offering Art Gallery). (*Paganicon in 2017 debuted a space dedicated specifically to art panels, topics, presentations and discussions.)
Description:
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Kitties in witch hat fascinators? check!
Elvis and Marilyn as Lord and Lady? check!
Crowley's "Hymn to Pan" interpreted by Wallace Shawn? check!
What is kitsch in Pagan art, and what is not, and what is the boundary between them? Come explore this topic with the Minneapolis Collective of Pagan Artists (MCPA) in a show and tell and share discussion!
Some ideas and working definitions will be offered but this is definitely the place to bring your opinion-- and examples! We invite all who are interested to bring EXAMPLES of Pagan kitsch-- pictures, objects, ritual anecdotes, kitschy songs, etc.-- to share. "Witch Kitsch" in all its variety is one great field -- what other kinds of Pagan kitsch are out there?
Some in the larger art world think ALL Pagan art is kitsch because it's Pagan art: we disagree. But where are the boundaries? When does art in Pagan culture slip into kitsch? And what is the difference between "good" kitsch (fun entertaining, tongue-in-cheek) and "bad" kitsch (serious art fail)?
What is the difference between [Pagan] kitsch, schmaltz, camp, and schlock? Can any bad art be kitsch or does it take more? Can well-done art be kitsch? What's so good-- or so bad --about PAGAN KITSCH?
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Also to be noted-- all members of the MCPA core collective, and some of our past guest artists, are displaying work in The Third Offering art gallery at Paganicon.
For more general information about Paganicon, go here.