Post #306133 by bigbrotiki on Sun, May 13, 2007 8:03 PM

Babalu, if I wouldn't know that you JUST got my book, I would think you're putting me on with that question, because, as the ones who know me can attest, it is sooo up my alley. In fact, my new book is based on that premise:

The avantgarde (Picasso and pals) were inspired by primitive art to create the modern art movement, which in turn heavily influenced modern designers and artists in the 50s and 60s. Here are two double pages from "Tiki Modern" that will give you an idea (sorry for the bad quality):

On the far left is an original Easter Island ceremonial paddle, whose bold black and white pattern is based on a Tatoo style on Rapa Nui and the Marquesas. Next to it is a Picasoo, next to that are two Tiki Modern pieces

This is more mid-century modern art work inspired by the European avantgarde, with a Witco piece on the upper right

On 2007-05-13 10:28, Tikidav wrote:
Hey Rick, I emailed a buddy of mine who worked at Universal during the period when your lamp was made. Here's what he had to say about it:

"As to this lamp... it is not supposed to be a tiki...it is supposed
to be "african" tribal art of the style that Picasso was famous for
ripping off. After it came to light in the 50s how Picasso's works had been
heavily influenced by african art... there was a brief fling in the
states with this style and Universal had a lot of it in their catalog."

It is the common notion that Picasso was influenced by African art only, but as I got to point out in the Book of Tiki he was called "an old adept of the Tiki" as early as 1919, and had an original Marquesan Tiki with him all his life. People just don't like to differentiate things and lumped "African and Oceanic" together into "African". My contention is that the inspiration was equally based on all "primitive art", so your lamp IS "Tiki Modern", or Pop primitivism.