E.C. Bali Hai Restaurant Tikis? - Collecting Tiki

B bigbrotiki Tiki Socialite Tiki Island, above the Silverlake Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 11621	B bigbrotiki Posted posted on Fri, Apr 20, 2007 10:33 AM I am not impartial, and it is obvious that I am heavily in favor of true vintage mid-century Tiki style. My appreciation for Tiki grew out of my encounter with Oceanic Arts, and the subsequent research fueled by it. But nowadays there are so many Tiki manufacturers out there, and even though this whole industry was (often unbeknownest) spurred by my book, the field is so convoluted that I cannot expect everyone to walk the line all the time, especially Tikiphiles that have to rely on mail order "brides" :) So here's my personal, subjective opinion of this specific product line: They are not as bad as others, but not as good a some of the eminent carvers here on TC. I find some of their designs acceptable, though not very creative. And I do not like glossy Tikis in general (there are exceptions) and certainly not painted ones, (especially with a pineapple on the forehead, or a bright red tongue), and those big teeth have become a tiresome cliche. Again, I see a genericness in the pieces, caused no doubt by the cultural disattachment of the carvers being from Asia. I know this might sound ridiculous considering we are talking about a second hand pop culture to begin with, but to me it makes sense. [ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2007-04-20 10:39 ]

I am not impartial, and it is obvious that I am heavily in favor of true vintage mid-century Tiki style. My appreciation for Tiki grew out of my encounter with Oceanic Arts, and the subsequent research fueled by it. But nowadays there are so many Tiki manufacturers out there, and even though this whole industry was (often unbeknownest) spurred by my book, the field is so convoluted that I cannot expect everyone to walk the line all the time, especially Tikiphiles that have to rely on mail order "brides" :) So here's my personal, subjective opinion of this specific product line:

They are not as bad as others, but not as good a some of the eminent carvers here on TC.
I find some of their designs acceptable, though not very creative. And I do not like glossy Tikis in general (there are exceptions) and certainly not painted ones, (especially with a pineapple on the forehead, or a bright red tongue), and those big teeth have become a tiresome cliche.

Again, I see a genericness in the pieces, caused no doubt by the cultural disattachment of the carvers being from Asia. I know this might sound ridiculous considering we are talking about a second hand pop culture to begin with, but to me it makes sense.

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2007-04-20 10:39 ]

Post #300665 by bigbrotiki on Fri, Apr 20, 2007 10:33 AM