Word: Kitsch

Kitsch, as defined by Merriam-Webster Online, means something that appeals to popular or lowbrow taste and is often of poor quality.

Adorno uses the term when pointing out the murkiness of Kant's use of the phrase, "representation of the existence of an object," in his explanation of disinterested liking. For Adorno, it is unclear as to whether the phrase is referring to content, thematic material, or the artwork itself. He states, "the pretty nude model or the sweet resonance of a musical tone can be kitsch or it can be an integral element of artistic quality" (10).