Add some kitsch to your house. We tell you how to create high-voltage living spaces
Add some whim to your creativity, stir it up with zeal and what you get is kitsch. Raseel Gujral Ansal shows the way to create a space for ‘high voltage living’
Are you in love with the unconventional and have a taste that is fiercely individualistic. Kitsch is a style of interiors for the uninhibited and freespirited, people who are not shy of expressing themselves, says queen of kitsch, Raseel Gujral Ansal
What exactly is kitsch style of interiors or home décor? What makes you subscribe to it?
Having been in the game for as long as I have, I subscribe to everything that excites me. Kitsch, on the one hand, can be seen as a naive design or a mish-mash of styles, and is largely associated with cheap. But for me what it really means is eclectic design which means you have the ability to intermarry design in different vocabulary with a light touch. By light, I mean light-hearted in its attitude— more about fun and play.
You are both the curator and creator of this style in India. How tough is it to produce kitsch?
It is tough—when you start creating, you simply go with the flow. It’s like writing without editing. You need to get into two zones, one when you simply flow and create and second, when you view your creation with an objective point of view. For that, I often go back to my team and edit out what may seem very nice but is not exactly relevant to the format in question.
Some people say kitsch is actually a mispronunciation of the English word ‘sketch’, or an inversion of the French ‘chic’ (fashionable). How do you perceive it especially since you have a store retailing it?
It’s actually ‘quiche’— something you consume, a savoury pie. To me, kitsch can be best described as a mixture of styles. It has a lot to do with art, colour and viewing everything with a quirky lens. You cannot try to be kitschy or fake being quirky — you must have it inherently.
There is a school of thought that banishes kitsch as something loud and melodramatic; on the other hand many find it young, fun and trendy. Who are the real takers of kitsch style of home interiors?
I think it’s basically for free spirits. The takers are individuals who are uninhibited — it has got nothing to do with age or economic status but its more about the state of mind.
What are the things one must not do when styling the home in this manner?
It’s the only one style that allows you to be crazy. You shouldn’t be careful – just be ready to experiment and explore. The rule is to have no rules. The joy of this style is that it brings out shades of your personality.
There are many theories about the origin of “kitsch.” There is one that says it emerged in the art markets of Munich in the 1860s and 1870s, describing cheap, popular, and marketable pictures and sketches. How
reasonable and affordable is it?
It is often confused to be cheap in design and quality. I cannot represent that as I am not naive or at the beginning of the creative ladder. I interpret it as out-of-thebox but sophisticated art.
Which is your personal favourite creation in this genre?
I love the monkey as it definitely captures my sense of humour the best. I feel its creative and unrestrained.