Post #353697 by bigbrotiki on Tue, Jan 8, 2008 5:28 PM

I didn't want to be mean, but I also could not let that stand there on its own. I understand that Janet might not have much extra dough with moving to a ranch and all, and that her Tiki dream seems far away, so it is understandable that she goes for a good deal. But Janet, there is a reason that these masks were hardly bid on and went for cheap. They are pretty far removed from real Tiki style. Maybe hanging them outside til they look old and weathered and the paint has come off will improve them...a little.

But Tiki has nothing to do with folksy colorful Mexican/Indian/Indonesian arts and crafts, Tiki has to do with mid-century lounges, Hawaiian and Polynesian carvings used as decor for those, and cocktail culture. It IS based on in-authenticity, but on a certain type of in-authenticity, one that was born out of a naive but honest fascination with the age old dream of Polynesia as an earthly paradise. These masks, I am afraid, were born out of the fascination with making a fast buck on the Tiki revival.

Please do not let this turn you off Tiki culture. Visit the carving forum, there are so many talented carvers out there that even I lost track. Look at what they are doing, and you will develop an eye for good Tiki. Here is one more example for the road (to Tiki enlightenment)

GOOD Tiki:

A solid American/Tahitian Tiki, based on Polynesian carvings, but with a modern touch.

BAD Tiki:

Horribly painted, run-of-the-mill caricature Tikis.

Note: Not just any carving with eyes and a toothy grin deserves to be called a Tiki.

Yes, it is all in the eye of the beholder, but this beholder here has beheld many MANY Tikis, and knows his godhead good.

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2008-01-08 17:36 ]