No one's death comes to pass without making some impression, and those close to the deceased inherit part of the liberated soul and become richer in their humanness.
Hermann BrochRead
The maker of kitsch does not create inferior art, he is not an incompetent or a bungler, he cannot be evaluated by aesthetic standards; rather, he is ethically depraved, a criminal willing radical evil. And since it is radical evil that is manifest here, evil per se, forming the absolute negative pole of every value-system, kitsch will always be evil, not just kitsch in art, but kitsch in every value-system that is not an imitation system.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote argues that kitsch is not merely inferior art but a manifestation of ethical depravity and radical evil.
Hermann Broch's quote critiques the nature of kitsch, asserting that it transcends the boundaries of aesthetic judgment and enters the realm of ethics. Unlike traditional art, which might be evaluated based on skill and creativity, kitsch represents a deeper moral failure—an intentional betrayal of genuine artistic values. Broch argues that kitsch, as a form of radical evil, undermines the value systems it represents, suggesting that any imitation of true art or values is inherently flawed and corrupt.
Themes
KitschArtEthicsValuesRadical Evil
In practice
Example use cases
During an art critique, one might reference this quote to emphasize the ethical implications of certain artistic expressions.
More from Hermann Broch
All quotes →Were one merely to seek information, one should inquire of the man who hates, but if one wishes to know what truly is, one better ask the one who loves
Hermann BrochRead
One who hates is a man holding a magnifying-glass, and when he hates someone, he knows precisely that person's surface, from the soles of his feet all the way up to each hair on the hated head
Hermann BrochRead
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