By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/new-museum-pays-homage-to-the-best-of-communist-era-kitsch Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter New museum pays homage to the best of communist-era kitsch World May 12, 2017 7:38 AM EDT Say what you will about the garish porcelain and misguided use of velvet that epitomize kitsch, but it certainly is versatile. Visitors to the new Kitsch Museum in Bucharest, Romania, can see a crucifix nightlight and “Last Supper” clock, among dozens of other gilded baubles and plaster statues of the pre-1989 communist era. The displays include walls lined with tabloid front pages and a reconstructed apartment interior, complete with rug wallcoverings and plain cotton underwear hanging up to dry. Cristian Lica, owner of the museum that opened May 5, gathered the artifacts over the past 20 years. “My favorite kitsch, which has unfortunately been damaged, is a statue of Christ with an incorporated room thermometer,” he said. See more photos below of the museum in Romania’s capital. A flag is embossed with the former Romanian communist party logo. Photo by Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images A table clock displays the Last Supper scene from the Bible. Photo by Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images An LED light shines within a plastic crucifix. Photo by Octav Ganea/Inquam Photos via Reuters A reinterpreted version of Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam” is pictured on a ceiling inside the newly opened Kitsch Museum. Photo by Octav Ganea/Inquam Photos via Reuters The museum features a reconstructed apartment interior. Photo by Octav Ganea/Inquam Photos via Reuters Museum owner Cristian Lica gathered the collection over the years, saying Romania was prone to kitsch as it raced to catch up to its richer Western neighbors. Photo by Octav Ganea/Inquam Photos via Reuters Items popular in communist-era Romania include glowing flower lamps. Photo by Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images Porcelain figurines include clowns and puppies. Photo by Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko produced multimedia web features and broadcast reports with a focus on foreign affairs for the PBS NewsHour. She has reported in places such as Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Haiti, Sudan, Western Sahara, Guantanamo Bay, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, Germany and Ireland. @NewsHourWorld
Say what you will about the garish porcelain and misguided use of velvet that epitomize kitsch, but it certainly is versatile. Visitors to the new Kitsch Museum in Bucharest, Romania, can see a crucifix nightlight and “Last Supper” clock, among dozens of other gilded baubles and plaster statues of the pre-1989 communist era. The displays include walls lined with tabloid front pages and a reconstructed apartment interior, complete with rug wallcoverings and plain cotton underwear hanging up to dry. Cristian Lica, owner of the museum that opened May 5, gathered the artifacts over the past 20 years. “My favorite kitsch, which has unfortunately been damaged, is a statue of Christ with an incorporated room thermometer,” he said. See more photos below of the museum in Romania’s capital. A flag is embossed with the former Romanian communist party logo. Photo by Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images A table clock displays the Last Supper scene from the Bible. Photo by Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images An LED light shines within a plastic crucifix. Photo by Octav Ganea/Inquam Photos via Reuters A reinterpreted version of Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam” is pictured on a ceiling inside the newly opened Kitsch Museum. Photo by Octav Ganea/Inquam Photos via Reuters The museum features a reconstructed apartment interior. Photo by Octav Ganea/Inquam Photos via Reuters Museum owner Cristian Lica gathered the collection over the years, saying Romania was prone to kitsch as it raced to catch up to its richer Western neighbors. Photo by Octav Ganea/Inquam Photos via Reuters Items popular in communist-era Romania include glowing flower lamps. Photo by Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images Porcelain figurines include clowns and puppies. Photo by Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images