Week 4 Apply and Reflect

 One of the best examples of kitsch is the classic image of Rosie the Riveter. Used during World War 2 to encourage women to join the war efforts, this piece matches Greenbergs label of kitsch, a piece of art designed to control the masses, created by the bourgeoisie.
 We Can Do It!" | Smithsonian Institution

U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. (2008). Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park : general management plan/environmental assessment. [Washington, D.C.] :U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service

 In this very example, we can see how kitsch has changed over time. During world war 2, these posters created an icon for women empowerment and were very inclusive. This poster furthered many other kitsch inclusive pieces in modern media, such as ads featuring women of color in military uniforms to encourage women to join the army. However, unlike Rosie, these don't have any words directly stating that women are empowered. After the war, it was assumed women were at the same level as men in terms of what they could do. One of the odd things about the future kitsch pieces is that their color schemes are typically photographs of the women in uniform. Almost as if to say "Shes really standing there, that could be you!" though the ability to create photographs of real women during the war was limited, the color choice and pose really pop much more than that modern piece for the army.

Comments

  1. IsabelSeptember 19, 2020 at 11:36 AM

    Hi Nathan, I think this is a great example to tie into this week’s reading. In my post I talked about the negative effects of some government propaganda posters, but I never considered the positives. It is true that Rosie the Riveter served as a symbol of female empowerment. What do you think Greenberg would say about Rosie the Riveter? I’d like to hear more of your ideas about this piece in relation to the reading. Overall, good job!

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  2. Allison BSeptember 20, 2020 at 9:14 PM

    Hi Nathan, you did a great job on your blog post! I really liked how you tied in the image of Rosie the Riveter into this week’s reading. A question I have for you is are you able to find any other posters or pieces of kitsch art like Rosie the Riveter that carry a similar positive message? Overall, you did a great job!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Shannon McLellandSeptember 20, 2020 at 9:47 PM

    Hi Nathan!
    I like how you focused on the positive aspects of this type art, especially because it is normally associated with controlling people's emotions and getting them do something. Why do think they continued to use women in uniforms and this colour scheme in many future posters. I would like to see more of your opinion about the connections between the reading and this particular image.

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