Post #362647 by bigbrotiki on Thu, Feb 21, 2008 8:16 AM

On 2008-02-21 06:30, Tiki Zen wrote:
What I see developing in this thread, as has been the case in several others, is a division of members along party lines, depending on whether they subscribe to a traditionalist philosophy of tiki, or a liberal philosophy.

On the one hand, we have the traditionalists who are devoted to documenting bygone tiki landmarks before they fade forever into the past, preserving tiki artifacts and memorabilia before they go to that great dumpster in the sky, and creating some amazing tiki time capsules in their homes in tribute and celebration of classic tiki culture.

On the other hand, we have the liberals, who admire tiki culture and, for the most part, the efforts of the traditionalists to preserve and document, and they take inspiration from the classics. At the same time, liberals subscribe to a philosophy that tiki is flexible and subject to personal interpretation. A little mass-produced but accessible and affordable decoration are acceptable, as is a bit of mixing in Floridian, beach and whatever else seems to fit, as they are more interested in a tiki "vibe" than adherence to a historical style.

The traditionalists view the liberals as ill-informed party crashers, who are trying to make tiki, and Tiki Central, something it was not meant to be.

The liberals view the traditionalists as stodgy, inflexible museum curators who keep going "shush" whenever someone expresses individuality.

Each side is correct, when you view the situation from their point of view, alone. I think I understand the problem, but how to solve it, I don't know.

A very nice partial description of the problem....but unfortunately way too black & white. Yes, I am a Tiki traditionalist for example, and most of my contributions here deal with Tiki history, but I have stated and demonstrated MANY times that there are wonderful, creative and innovative contributions made in nouveaux Tiki, and that I support them. I cannot think of one member here that shares my love for the history of Tiki AND for the Tiki revival that can be classified as just a "dusty old museum Tiki" lover. We love both, yesterday's and today's true Tiki talent.

It is really about what I stated all along, the watering down of a style. I simply cannot chime in when -for example- someone gets excited about what they made out of the Beverly Hills Trader Vic's, and I reserve the right to challenge that such a luke warm result would be labeled quality Tiki style, and I can do so by having defined the style in the first place. I am not in denial that such devolution is the way of things, but I will label it as such. This site has to be a bulwark AGAINST mediocracy, not FOR mediocracy.

I am sorry, friends, that I was temporarily rendered speechless by the arrogance and audacity of members that have not contributed one OUNCE of creative content here but believe they can flaunt their ignorant lack of respect for tradition and actual, factual cultural impact my work...but I am back. :D

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2008-02-21 09:56 ]