Post #446025 by woofmutt on Thu, Apr 9, 2009 5:01 PM

While garden gnomes are definitely in no way tikis I think they could be classified as Tiki in that Tiki is really all about whimsy, fun, and having a good time.

Of course purists might chuckle and shake their head in slight amusement since the traditional garden gnome has no obvious Polynesian connections. But as Unga Bunga mentioned above the concept of mysterious, small, human like creatures is Polynesian. One could regard garden gnomes as Menehune in city clothes.

Most Tiki environs are built on a fantasy of sorts and garden gnomes are pure fantasy. In a well thought out Tiki interior I can see garden gnomes dwelling happily beside Maoai, war clubs, bamboo, and thatch.

The key thing about Tiki is fantasy. In my home Tiki bar I have a vintage late 70s unicorn, several Universal Studios monster models, a Civil War era spittoon, two large neon Corona beer signs, and a Victorian "fainting couch" for the Tiki purist who just can't handle all the splendor.

This reminds me, has anyone every followed up Quiet Village with Stairway To Heaven? It's really incredible and you hear all these Exotica elements that you've never noticed in Zeppelin before.