Camp

Definition

Camp is a style and sensibility that embraces exaggeration, artifice, and the absurd. It celebrates that which is considered lowbrow or bad taste, finding beauty and humor in the over-the-top and the kitschy. This aesthetic is closely linked to queer culture, as it often challenges societal norms and highlights the fluidity of identity and expression.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Camp has roots in the work of Susan Sontag, who famously wrote about it in her essay 'Notes on Camp,' where she explored its significance in art and culture.
2. The aesthetic of camp often plays with irony and parody, allowing performers to subvert traditional expectations of taste and seriousness.
3. Camp can be seen in various forms of performance art, fashion, and popular culture, from drag shows to cult films, where outrageousness becomes a source of empowerment.
4. In queer theory, camp serves as a means of resistance against mainstream culture, allowing marginalized voices to express themselves creatively and authentically.
5. The appreciation of camp often relies on a sense of community among those who recognize and celebrate its humor and excess, creating a shared space for alternative expressions.

Review Questions

• How does camp challenge traditional notions of taste and seriousness in performance?
  • Camp challenges traditional notions of taste by embracing exaggeration and artifice, which allows performers to subvert expectations. It highlights the absurdity of societal norms by showcasing what is often deemed lowbrow or in poor taste. This celebration of the outrageous creates space for humor and irony, inviting audiences to reconsider their own perceptions of artistry and value.
• Discuss how camp relates to queer theory and the representation of marginalized identities.
  • Camp is deeply intertwined with queer theory as it provides a platform for marginalized identities to assert themselves through humor and artifice. By celebrating that which is typically rejected by mainstream culture, camp allows for the exploration of fluid identities and expressions. It becomes a form of resistance against normative standards, fostering acceptance and understanding within the queer community while challenging societal expectations.
• Evaluate the impact of camp aesthetics on contemporary performance practices and their significance in cultural discourse.
  • The impact of camp aesthetics on contemporary performance practices is significant as it encourages artists to experiment with identity, humor, and cultural critique. By incorporating camp elements, performances can engage audiences in discussions about authenticity, representation, and societal norms. This approach fosters a richer cultural discourse that values diversity and challenges oppressive narratives, promoting an inclusive environment where various forms of expression can thrive.

Related terms

Kitsch: Kitsch refers to art, objects, or design that is considered to be in poor taste due to its overly sentimental or gaudy nature, yet is appreciated for its nostalgic or humorous qualities.

Queerness: Queerness encompasses a range of sexual orientations and gender identities that challenge normative definitions of sexuality and gender, promoting an understanding of fluidity and diversity.

Exaggeration: Exaggeration is a rhetorical and artistic device that amplifies certain traits or characteristics, often used in performance to create humor or highlight absurdity.