The Watusi, Wellington, New Zealand (bar) - Locating Tiki

B bigbrotiki Tiki Socialite Tiki Island, above the Silverlake Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 11621	B bigbrotiki Posted posted on Wed, Sep 28, 2011 7:22 AM It looks to me as though they are purposely avoiding the "Tiki" connotation as not to draw the attention and ire of local Maori scholars, such as this: http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5677844/Tiki-shaped-opener-a-cultural-fizzer It's a tricky situation, so close to a revived tribal tradition. If it is well executed modern art, like your pendants are, Paipo, it's one thing, but tongue-and-cheek pop primitivism such as garish Tiki revival pop is more likely to be regarded as in bad taste. I personally am against such uber-correctness, be it political or religious, as I enjoy bad taste, but it is understandable that members of decimated Polynesian minorities are a bit touchy in regards to perceived trivializations of their traditions.

It looks to me as though they are purposely avoiding the "Tiki" connotation as not to draw the attention and ire of local Maori scholars, such as this:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5677844/Tiki-shaped-opener-a-cultural-fizzer

It's a tricky situation, so close to a revived tribal tradition. If it is well executed modern art, like your pendants are, Paipo, it's one thing, but tongue-and-cheek pop primitivism such as garish Tiki revival pop is more likely to be regarded as in bad taste.

I personally am against such uber-correctness, be it political or religious, as I enjoy bad taste, but it is understandable that members of decimated Polynesian minorities are a bit touchy in regards to perceived trivializations of their traditions.

Post #608326 by bigbrotiki on Wed, Sep 28, 2011 7:22 AM