Thomas Kinkade-Caliber: Exemplification and Classification Work

• In Event: 365 - Section on Sociology of Culture Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 13. Taste and Classification

Abstract

When considering informal processes of classificatory change, research has yet to explore how cultural products or figures come to exemplify a cultural category. We explore this through the case of Thomas Kinkade, analyzing the process by which his name came to epitomize the connotations of kitsch. From this case, we put forth a model of exemplification, by which a cultural figure’s name becomes a classifier, instead of the classified. Following the first introduction of Kinkade in news media in 1995 through 2012, the year of his passing, we put forth four stages of exemplification. We hypothesize the legacy of Kinkade’s name as an exemplar and argue this exemplification process is generalizable, based on historical examples like Antoni Gaudi.

Authors

• Amanda Koontz Anthony, University of Central Florida

• Amit Joshi, University of Central Florida