One of the first things we acquired in anticipation of buying our first home was a set of three flying ducks from Pepin Design. That instantly recognisable silhouette was so appealing possibly because I grew up in the era of Hilda Ogden on Coronation St, the unofficial patron saint of ceramic ducks.
But I also really liked the twist of using different materials to emulate that classic kitsch ceramic trio. Our ducks are simply painted wood covered in a retro, textured wallpaper. Affordable, sure, but also something that acknowledged our move to suburbia while also saying “but we’re not quite our grandparents… yet”.
That’s the thing about kitsch. It can be appreciated on a number of different levels. It incorporates nostalgia and can reference pop culture but it also allows room to play because kitsch, above all things, doesn’t take itself too seriously and I like the idea that some of my belongings have a sense of humour.
So I was thrilled to do a little research for a piece I wrote recently about these kitsch icons, the three flying ducks. I learned so much about my favourite decorative item including a completely unexpected Dr Who connection!
Read Know your kitsch: Three flying ducks.
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Enjoying your writing. When I read the piece on kitsch I thought you might like to see this from another local blogger I follow – http://www.mooseyscountrygarden.com/garden-journal-15/wall-pheasants.html
Pheasants! How fancy! Of course they did quite a few different kinds of birds. I wonder why the ducks were so much more popular? Those pheasants are rather fetching.
God help me, I really want flying ducks – but husband pointed out that he uncomplainingly accepted the two vintage garden gnomes I brought home one day and the ducks would be going too far. (It may not have helped that I threatened to paint a lakeside mural on the wall to complement the ducks.)
I wonder if the Doctor Who connection might sway him..?
You can only try. You could “compromise” by backing down on the mural?