Post #373017 by ManFromT.I.K.I. on Thu, Apr 10, 2008 9:21 PM

Well, I have been reading this thread in anticipation of receiving my own copy, and I'm glad to say, the wait is over. I too was first impressed by the sheer physicality of the book itself. It just has the great feeling of a well put together volume.

Then I opened it. Wow. Despite the rave reviews, I was hardly prepared for the visual feast that awaited me. I was fortunate to be able to spend most of the afternoon voraciously reading and pouring over the pictures. Being a visual person, I really appreciate the profusion of illustrations, which after all, tell the story best. So kudos to Sven for giving them center stage. As an artist, I know I personally will be drawing from the well of its inspiration for a long time to come.

I'm especially impressed by the story of William Westenhaver (Witco). He really was a first rate modernist artist and knowing more about him has already given me a much greater appreciation of his work.

The book also does a fine job at placing the whole modernist Tiki and primitive movements in historical and social perspective. But I don't want to make it sound too academic, because the book is just plain fun, too!