Tiki Reference Guide Sought - General Tiki

B bigbrotiki Tiki Socialite Tiki Island, above the Silverlake Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 11621	B bigbrotiki Posted posted on Mon, Sep 22, 2008 9:25 AM I am sorry, Vamp, but that book you recommend there is one of the worst, fly-by-night, Tiki train-jumping tomes published. Sure, it has some info about temples and deities in it, but I shudder each time I read its take on Tiki culture. And I am sure you meant to post the COMPLETE link to that wonderful thread on Oceanic Art books: http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26061&forum=7 ,not just one highlighted post. As you folks can see by that impressive thread then, no, there is not one easy, "How to identify YOUR Tiki"-guide. To find out about Tikis takes work and commitment and research and some money --and even then you will not know all, because not a lot IS known, actually. But by going to libraries and looking for Oceanic art, Polynesian art, and Primitive art and mythology books, and visiting museums and their bookstores, you will discover there is a wealth of information out there. Even putting in search words like the above at Google, Amazon or, low and behold, HERE on TC, will help you come up with leads. The good news though is, that to create or enjoy Polynesian pop, your knowledge about Tikis is less important than your talent and creativity. For some, too much scholarly info might even be a hinderniss. When Tiki style reigned in America, very little was known about Oceanic mythology, and that little amount was even condensed further for the public. That naivete is part of the charm of mid-century Tiki style. (Some will say I am contradicting my previous posts about a lot of new Tiki art not having any reference to Polynesian tradition, but as so often, I am expecting the basic ability to DIFFERENTIATE. My previous critiques aimed at examples that hat NO connection to authentic South Seas art, no TRACE of Tiki, just grinning, toothy faces that looked like hippie log spirits. What I am talking about is the right balance between new and old.) Please, by no means do I intend to discourage deeper research, I am just cautioning folks to not miss or loose sight of the point about WHAT it is that makes Polynesian pop special and unique. If an understanding and awareness of that is present, further knowledge about South Sea art forms will only help create more great and innovative stuff in the Tiki vein.

I am sorry, Vamp, but that book you recommend there is one of the worst, fly-by-night, Tiki train-jumping tomes published. Sure, it has some info about temples and deities in it, but I shudder each time I read its take on Tiki culture.

And I am sure you meant to post the COMPLETE link to that wonderful thread on Oceanic Art books:

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=26061&forum=7

,not just one highlighted post.

As you folks can see by that impressive thread then, no, there is not one easy, "How to identify YOUR Tiki"-guide. To find out about Tikis takes work and commitment and research and some money --and even then you will not know all, because not a lot IS known, actually. But by going to libraries and looking for Oceanic art, Polynesian art, and Primitive art and mythology books, and visiting museums and their bookstores, you will discover there is a wealth of information out there.
Even putting in search words like the above at Google, Amazon or, low and behold, HERE on TC, will help you come up with leads.

The good news though is, that to create or enjoy Polynesian pop, your knowledge about Tikis is less important than your talent and creativity. For some, too much scholarly info might even be a hinderniss. When Tiki style reigned in America, very little was known about Oceanic mythology, and that little amount was even condensed further for the public. That naivete is part of the charm of mid-century Tiki style.

(Some will say I am contradicting my previous posts about a lot of new Tiki art not having any reference to Polynesian tradition, but as so often, I am expecting the basic ability to DIFFERENTIATE. My previous critiques aimed at examples that hat NO connection to authentic South Seas art, no TRACE of Tiki, just grinning, toothy faces that looked like hippie log spirits. What I am talking about is the right balance between new and old.)

Please, by no means do I intend to discourage deeper research, I am just cautioning folks to not miss or loose sight of the point about WHAT it is that makes Polynesian pop special and unique. If an understanding and awareness of that is present, further knowledge about South Sea art forms will only help create more great and innovative stuff in the Tiki vein.

Post #409273 by bigbrotiki on Mon, Sep 22, 2008 9:25 AM