Post #556651 by crazy al on Tue, Sep 28, 2010 12:48 PM

I've submitted this image to the BOT show because even though it is 20 years old, it illustrates why Sven saw the need to 'define tiki'. When i met these guys the Swingin Tikis in 1989, who all had tiki collections, tiki shirts, jackets etc.., they would use the word 'Tiki' as synonymous with 'cool'... if it was Caribbean/African it was 'tiki' , Asian - Tiki, SouthAmerican/Amazon - Tiki... and so on... They were 'Mid-century Exotica' collectors really. My self, coming from a more 'primitive art' fan'dom, would think...? that's not Hawaiian??? But excepted their definition based on a 'life style' that I was not familiar with other then iconic observations from my youth around Phoenix. Anyway, the piece I'm submitting was my first research into what a 'tiki' really looked like.

An ArtCenter study from 4th term, it's Gouache and India ink on illustration board from 1990. A study/sketch with media experimentation and Tikis. Six years later I would use the same 'Ku' image in the 'Tiki Line-up' has one of my light-switch designs. These are all images I 'Xeroxed' in the Art Center Library. Having lost this original scrap book and having this piece in storage, I actually contacted Sven and Otto at some point to see if Hawaiian Tikis were carved with a Phallus. I guess I made the decision to omit the Phallus from my 'Decent-War God LS05' light-switch, since as small as it is, I clearly put it on this painting in 1990. The Fisherman's Tiki on the far right helped inspire my 'Tonga-Man Cocktail Glass Holder.' with the star belly-button.

unfortunately i just picked up a 'painting-gig' with an ArtCenter bud this weekend, a guy who introduced me to Pepe! of Pepe's Tikis in Rosarito Beach Mex during ArtCenter. I will not be able to get out to the show/party.. you all have a great time! Live it up Sven!!

[ Edited by: crazy al 2010-09-28 13:16 ]