Discussion on the

TT Travellin' Tiki Tiki Socialite Joined: Apr 05, 2004 Posts: 227	TT Travellin' Tiki Posted posted on Wed, Jun 24, 2009 3:27 PM Wow! What a great topic for a discussion. Kudos Hewey! I could probably go on about this for hours... I think about it all the time--but I actually have to paint at some point, so I'll keep it brief for now! First, I agree it is because this is largely a 'decorative' art form. I definitely keep my tiki velvet art segmented in my brain from the political/surreal/deep(?) art that I do. I guess the main purpose with tiki art is first to be visually engaging, rather than intellectually engaging, to evoke emotions rather than analysis. They aren't meant to lead to discomfort for the viewer--quite the opposite! They're supposed to transport people AWAY from all the problems of the world... To be honest I have a few ideas for politically-oriented tiki velvet paintings which I've been wanting to do, but I realize now that fear has been holding me back! Partly I feel reluctant to break the fantasy--tiki is an escape, and how do you bring big issues into an escapist fantasy without messing everything up? Also, tiki is generally such a welcoming, inclusive culture, while politics can obviously be totally divisive. It seems like, at least on Tiki Central, politics has always been an unwelcome subject to bring up--I think there was even a no talking politics rule on the forum at one time (maybe there still is?) So I guess there's sort of an unspoken sense that tiki and politics don't mix? Okay, I have TONS more to say about this, but I really have to start painting. And no, it's nothing political (yet...)! :wink: I'm curious about how people feel about this--do you want me harshing your tropical mellow with hints of real world concerns? (oh--one more note, then I'll go paint... I think there is hope for tiki and politics to mix in the sort of mischievous nature some tikis possess, which would allow them to poke fun without being too serious. I also think there's room for tiki to mix with spiritual and environmental subjects. I guess there's just so much FUN stuff to paint related to tiki, it takes a while to work your way through to the serious stuff!)

Wow! What a great topic for a discussion. Kudos Hewey!

I could probably go on about this for hours... I think about it all the time--but I actually have to paint at some point, so I'll keep it brief for now!

First, I agree it is because this is largely a 'decorative' art form. I definitely keep my tiki velvet art segmented in my brain from the political/surreal/deep(?) art that I do. I guess the main purpose with tiki art is first to be visually engaging, rather than intellectually engaging, to evoke emotions rather than analysis. They aren't meant to lead to discomfort for the viewer--quite the opposite! They're supposed to transport people AWAY from all the problems of the world...

To be honest I have a few ideas for politically-oriented tiki velvet paintings which I've been wanting to do, but I realize now that fear has been holding me back! Partly I feel reluctant to break the fantasy--tiki is an escape, and how do you bring big issues into an escapist fantasy without messing everything up? Also, tiki is generally such a welcoming, inclusive culture, while politics can obviously be totally divisive. It seems like, at least on Tiki Central, politics has always been an unwelcome subject to bring up--I think there was even a no talking politics rule on the forum at one time (maybe there still is?) So I guess there's sort of an unspoken sense that tiki and politics don't mix?

Okay, I have TONS more to say about this, but I really have to start painting. And no, it's nothing political (yet...)! :wink: I'm curious about how people feel about this--do you want me harshing your tropical mellow with hints of real world concerns?

(oh--one more note, then I'll go paint... I think there is hope for tiki and politics to mix in the sort of mischievous nature some tikis possess, which would allow them to poke fun without being too serious. I also think there's room for tiki to mix with spiritual and environmental subjects. I guess there's just so much FUN stuff to paint related to tiki, it takes a while to work your way through to the serious stuff!)

Post #464332 by Travellin' Tiki on Wed, Jun 24, 2009 3:27 PM