A New Trader Vic's - open Monday! - General Tiki

B bigbrotiki Tiki Socialite Tiki Island, above the Silverlake Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 11621	B bigbrotiki Posted posted on Sun, Jan 17, 2010 7:52 AM Oh, and last not least, one of the greatest ironies in this repeatedly ongoing debate is the often forgotten fact that, while we bemoan the "cookie-cutter" and "uniform chain" look of places like Cabo Wabo, Trader Vic's IS, and always has been, just that, a chain. And their decor, in fact ALL Tiki restaurants decor, has been adhering to a certain set of elements that was repeated throughout the U.S. and beyond. Mean spirits might even call it cookie cutter :) In fact, critics of the style in its heyday did. :( !!!??? The difference though is that back in the day there was a greater understanding, because of a direct context to the first experience of Polynesian culture, and a greater breadth of individual interpretation and creativity in the style, creating very complex and unique examples, --aided by more money to invest in it! It is this creative, almost artistic genius that was not noticed and appreciated back then, and that we always hope to find in today's Tiki revival. It is a miracle that Trader Vic's has persisted successfully in this this far, and fights the good fight, whichever way they can. They deserve our every support --but that will not keep us from voicing our educated opinion. :)

Oh, and last not least, one of the greatest ironies in this repeatedly ongoing debate is the often forgotten fact that, while we bemoan the "cookie-cutter" and "uniform chain" look of places like Cabo Wabo, Trader Vic's IS, and always has been, just that, a chain. And their decor, in fact ALL Tiki restaurants decor, has been adhering to a certain set of elements that was repeated throughout the U.S. and beyond. Mean spirits might even call it cookie cutter :) In fact, critics of the style in its heyday did. :( !!!???

The difference though is that back in the day there was a greater understanding, because of a direct context to the first experience of Polynesian culture, and a greater breadth of individual interpretation and creativity in the style, creating very complex and unique examples, --aided by more money to invest in it! It is this creative, almost artistic genius that was not noticed and appreciated back then, and that we always hope to find in today's Tiki revival.

It is a miracle that Trader Vic's has persisted successfully in this this far, and fights the good fight, whichever way they can. They deserve our every support --but that will not keep us from voicing our educated opinion. :)

Post #504980 by bigbrotiki on Sun, Jan 17, 2010 7:52 AM