Tiki Culture - Geographical Origins - General Tiki

B bigbrotiki Tiki Socialite Tiki Island, above the Silverlake Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 11621	B bigbrotiki Posted posted on Tue, Jan 25, 2011 1:27 PM I know what you are saying, Randy, the spirit of all the South Sea cliches that surround Tiki is certainly strong in "Bali Hai" (as I noted in my "Sound of Tiki" CD). But something cannot be the originator of something if there is nothing of it in it. Tiki style is totally unique in its character because it is a pop culture that originated in the restaurant industry. Film and other popular genres might have played a part, but bowling alleys and apartment buildings modeled themselves after the Tiki eateries (and drinkeries). I always view the American Bali Hai/South Pacific fever (the song, the musical) as forming the fertile soil that Tiki grew out of. But also the peak of that form of super-schmalzy South Seas kitsch. Considering what COULD have been in the movie, it has very few, almost NO Tikis in it. It is the pinnacle of Poly-pop, but not Tiki. Tiki really happened when primitive art appreciation caught on. What inspired me to look into it was the juxtaposition of 50s modern man with pagan idols. A 50s "South Pacific" image without a Tiki just wouldn't have grabbed my attention.

I know what you are saying, Randy, the spirit of all the South Sea cliches that surround Tiki is certainly strong in "Bali Hai" (as I noted in my "Sound of Tiki" CD). But something cannot be the originator of something if there is nothing of it in it. Tiki style is totally unique in its character because it is a pop culture that originated in the restaurant industry. Film and other popular genres might have played a part, but bowling alleys and apartment buildings modeled themselves after the Tiki eateries (and drinkeries).

I always view the American Bali Hai/South Pacific fever (the song, the musical) as forming the fertile soil that Tiki grew out of. But also the peak of that form of super-schmalzy South Seas kitsch. Considering what COULD have been in the movie, it has very few, almost NO Tikis in it. It is the pinnacle of Poly-pop, but not Tiki.

Tiki really happened when primitive art appreciation caught on. What inspired me to look into it was the juxtaposition of 50s modern man with pagan idols. A 50s "South Pacific" image without a Tiki just wouldn't have grabbed my attention.

Post #573290 by bigbrotiki on Tue, Jan 25, 2011 1:27 PM