That's just wrong! The un-Tiki thread: - General Tiki

B bigbrotiki Tiki Socialite Tiki Island, above the Silverlake Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 11621	B bigbrotiki Posted posted on Mon, Dec 11, 2006 10:04 PM On 2006-12-11 13:51, Rev. Griz wrote: I'm still unclear as to what's wrong with the Party City tiki that isn't also wrong with Disney's Enchanted Tiki Hut tikis. A.) Tikis should not be painted like clowns (see below) B.) Assuming a tattoo is intended as a mark of distinction and uniqueness, it is indeed ironic to end up with the most generic and commercial design out there (among the infinity of choices that exist in authentic, and in pop Polynesian culture). Regarding the Disney Tikis: Because Marc Davis was a collector of Papua New Guinea art, most of the Enchanted Tiki room Tikis are styled and colored after originals from that culture group. However, there is a fine line between the earthen colors that the PNG natives used and the brightly "fiesta"-style painted Tikis that turned up in the 1980s in various places (like the 80s Chinese Restaurant Orchids of Hawaii Tikis). Often owners of Tiki establishments themselves "updated" their Tikis to make them look less "dark" and brooding (which is the correct look for primitive art in my opinion), a clear sign of the devolution of Tiki style. Terrence Barrow, accomplished author and authority on Maori art, early on in this century lamented the insensitivity of painting Maori meeting houses with red colors that were too bright, because, as he correctly observed, "harsh colors detract from the SCULPTURAL quality of the carvings". A well carved piece does not need to bring out its forms by bright paint. Back to PNG art: Up until the 1980s, places like Oceanic Arts went through more effort to "age" their faux artifacts by washing out the paints and making them look old, just like PNG artists still do today. But responding to the changes in public taste, even OA began to not bother making their pieces look "authentic" in their colorization (see "Night of the Tiki" book). I personally prefer the vintage OA look. Polynesian pop IS pop, yes, but if it gets TOO cartoony, TOO colorful, and TOO un-original, it just becomes POP, sans Polynesian. [ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2006-12-11 22:06 ]

On 2006-12-11 13:51, Rev. Griz wrote:
I'm still unclear as to what's wrong with the Party City tiki that isn't also wrong with Disney's Enchanted Tiki Hut tikis.

A.) Tikis should not be painted like clowns (see below)

B.) Assuming a tattoo is intended as a mark of distinction and uniqueness, it is indeed ironic to end up with the most generic and commercial design out there (among the infinity of choices that exist in authentic, and in pop Polynesian culture).

Regarding the Disney Tikis: Because Marc Davis was a collector of Papua New Guinea art, most of the Enchanted Tiki room Tikis are styled and colored after originals from that culture group. However, there is a fine line between the earthen colors that the PNG natives used and the brightly "fiesta"-style painted Tikis that turned up in the 1980s in various places (like the 80s Chinese Restaurant Orchids of Hawaii Tikis). Often owners of Tiki establishments themselves "updated" their Tikis to make them look less "dark" and brooding (which is the correct look for primitive art in my opinion), a clear sign of the devolution of Tiki style.

Terrence Barrow, accomplished author and authority on Maori art, early on in this century lamented the insensitivity of painting Maori meeting houses with red colors that were too bright, because, as he correctly observed, "harsh colors detract from the SCULPTURAL quality of the carvings". A well carved piece does not need to bring out its forms by bright paint.

Back to PNG art: Up until the 1980s, places like Oceanic Arts went through more effort to "age" their faux artifacts by washing out the paints and making them look old, just like PNG artists still do today. But responding to the changes in public taste, even OA began to not bother making their pieces look "authentic" in their colorization (see "Night of the Tiki" book). I personally prefer the vintage OA look.

Polynesian pop IS pop, yes, but if it gets TOO cartoony, TOO colorful, and TOO un-original, it just becomes POP, sans Polynesian.

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2006-12-11 22:06 ]

Post #271887 by bigbrotiki on Mon, Dec 11, 2006 10:04 PM