Post #363178 by bigbrotiki on Sun, Feb 24, 2008 11:08 AM

I don't recall ever seeing that, and I think it would be a splendid idea, because that "United Colors of Beneton" concept lies at the basis of mid-century AMERICAN Tiki style. I emphasize American, because Polynesian natives of the varying culture groups always have had different views of their own autonomy, which did not necessarily go along the "All one happy family" lines the Western world idealized them as.

But when in the 1950s Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki focused America's attention on the Polynesian triangle and its peoples' migration patterns that produced similarities in the language, mythology and art of the different islands, it, together with the positivist United Nations/Family of Man hopes of the period, opened the flood gates for the mixing of the styles in the mainland representations of Polynesia (even including Melanesia and Asia). (...boy, what a German-style sentence!)

Counter clockwise: Hawaiian/Maori/Melanesian carvings

It all goes hand in hand with the Trader/Ports of Call concept, where the different rooms had different names like the Tahitian room, the Cannibal room, etc. For example Trader Vic's menus and this scarf showcased various island art styles, including Asian exotica...which was in line with the exotic dishes they offered.

Hawaiian/Maori/Indian/Asian art

The Mormons (NOT the Hawaiians) epitomized the idea with their "Polynesian Cultural Center" on Oahu.

I love Hewey's Tiki bowl concept in the Carving thread, too.
Can anyone else think of other vintage Poly pop examples to post here?

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2008-02-24 11:36 ]