Post #246713 by bigbrotiki on Fri, Aug 4, 2006 12:36 AM

With easy image uploading coinciding with the below image arriving in my e-mail today I decided it would be time for this. Now I know we all have to be nicey nicey here on TC, not offend anybody, and be supportive and positive....but:

We also have an educational responsibility. Every week hopeful seekers get washed ashore on this website, new and starry-eyed, looking for Tiki. They have to be warned of the nowadays numerous misuses and transgressions of the concept. There is no easier way to do that now than post a picture of these visual crimes committed in the name of the god of the artists, such as this:

Now what is wrong with this picture? (some folks might suggest "EVERYTHING!")

Is it the nudity? Certainly not. Female frontal nudity (National Geographic eroticism) was an integral part of Tiki style, and thus should never be hidden, hindered, or even made excuses for on Tiki Central.

Is it the Transvestite concept? No. Although not part of 50s Tiki culture, most Pacific native cultures have traditionally had a fully integrating and accepting attitude towards the fairy members of their group, and Tiki Central does not discriminate on the basis of religious, political or sexual orientation.

Is it the cheesy 50s exploitation movie title concept of the invite? No...and yes. Though Tiki partially IS cheesy 50s exploitation, it does not need to parody itself, it stands alone and pure in its innocent naivete. Any overdone kitsch satire is unnecessary and crude.

Is it the "orange crate" style of the whole rendering that reeks of "nostalgic" Tommy Bahama products? Well yeah, but:

What really turned my stomach is the MASK! This abomination has no basis in Tiki style, the hair, the colors, the concept are JUST WRONG! It reminds me of those horrible Tiki Toys (someone post a pic?) that came out a while ago. AND the fact that she is wearing it. Don't do that. It is un-Tiki.