Camp

Definition

Camp is an aesthetic style and sensibility that embraces exaggerated, playful, and often theatrical elements to subvert traditional notions of taste and beauty. It thrives on the absurd, the over-the-top, and the ironic, allowing for the exploration of identity, gender, and societal norms through humor and exaggeration.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Camp has roots in the LGBTQ+ community, as it allows for expressions of identity that challenge societal expectations.
2. The term was popularized by Susan Sontag in her 1964 essay 'Notes on Camp,' where she described it as a means of embracing bad taste as an art form.
3. Camp is often characterized by its playful attitude towards serious subjects, allowing artists to tackle complex themes through humor and irony.
4. In visual arts and performance, camp often involves a deliberate contrast between high culture and low culture, blurring the lines between them.
5. Camp has influenced various genres including film, fashion, and theater, creating a unique space for self-expression and cultural commentary.

Review Questions

• How does camp challenge traditional notions of beauty and taste in art?
  • Camp challenges traditional notions of beauty and taste by embracing exaggerated aesthetics and irony. By celebrating the absurd and the over-the-top, camp subverts conventional standards that dictate what is considered 'good' or 'bad' art. This allows for a playful exploration of identity and societal norms, where elements deemed unattractive can become powerful statements within artistic expression.
• In what ways do Robert Mapplethorpe's photography and Taylor Mac's performances incorporate camp sensibilities?
  • Robert Mapplethorpe's photography often utilizes camp through its provocative imagery and bold compositions that challenge societal norms regarding sexuality and beauty. His work plays with contrasts between high art and controversial subjects. Similarly, Taylor Mac's performances are steeped in camp through their theatricality, humor, and subversive takes on gender and identity, allowing audiences to engage with serious themes in a lighthearted manner.
• Evaluate the role of camp in shaping contemporary queer art practices across different media.
  • Camp plays a significant role in shaping contemporary queer art practices by providing a framework for artists to explore identity, humor, and critique societal norms. It fosters a sense of community through shared experiences that defy traditional expectations, encouraging self-expression across various media such as photography, performance, and fashion. Artists like Cass Bird and Ryan Trecartin utilize camp to challenge cultural standards while making powerful statements about gender fluidity and post-internet identities, reflecting the ongoing evolution of queer representation in art.

Related terms

Irony: A rhetorical device or situation where the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning, often used in camp to create humor or critique.

Exaggeration: The act of representing something as greater than it is, which is a key component of camp aesthetics that amplifies its impact.

Subversion:

The act of undermining established norms or values, which camp often does by challenging conventional standards of art and culture.