Post #628181 by KokoKele on Fri, Mar 9, 2012 1:02 PM

Hi, Swizzle:
Thanks for the input. I’ll try to elaborate then I’ll step back again and let others rejoin the discussion.

One of the reasons I won’t attach the KokoKele Certified Crap (KKCC) label to pieces being produced by Forum members goes back to my discussion about artists in various stages of development. I believe a great many people come to Tiki Central with naïve enthusiasm and a desire to produce something “Tiki.” How can I fault that? The more pieces they produce the more mature they are going to become as Tiki artists and the more noteworthy their pieces are going to become. I’m thoroughly impressed that people are getting their hands dirty to bring new Tiki into the world. This shows me that Tiki is alive and well. And I’m with you: I think a lot of it is worth ignoring, but I think the artists who show any promise of development are worth encouraging. If a mature, studied and skillful artist turns out a piece that has no elements of Tiki whatsoever and tries to pass it off as Tiki, I may admire their skill and I might even like the piece but I’m going to make a mental note that it belongs in a different forum. It simply isn’t Tiki. For me to label something as complete crap it would have to be really, deliberately crappy. There is a broad range of Tiki stuff that I would be inclined to label as Tiki Sell-out, but that’s not a bad thing. A lot of it is fun stuff and most of us probably have some of it in our collections.

One of the reasons I listed those categories wasn’t to make people think I stand in judgment of their work. I seldom do that. I actually wanted to make the point that I think there’s Tiki Art, and I think there’s a bunch of other stuff that doesn’t qualify as art, necessarily, but still holds our attention. That’s where the crafts, objects, sell-out and crap categories came from. This was in keeping with my assumption that we were actually talking about two different things: Art and Tiki. Tiki Art is where these two things cross paths, and I personally would put a limited number of pieces in this category. Most of the Tiki stuff I own would fall more into the Craft and Object categories, even though I think a lot of it is produced by very artistic people. I don’t call it art because I have, in my mind, a rather rigid test as to what I categorize as art. It gets kind of complicated and very subjective. It’s sort of like trying to discuss jazz. I’ve heard that people end up shooting each other when they try to do that.

I like your work, too, Swizzle. The chasm between it and Utter Crap (KKCC) is miles and miles wide. I’ve really enjoyed your posts about it and am delighted with your experimentation. I salute you, my friend.

And let’s face it: in the long run we’re all just indulging in something that we really enjoy. BigBroTiki brings a level of scholarship and sophistication to Tiki that I personally am deliriously happy about. He helps give Tiki validation that is important to its continuity. He thinks about it, studies it, applies his passion to it and provides us with a sense of history and authority. In my opinion he has all the credentials required to provide considered critical input about all things Tiki. He has a lot to offer and I think we’re wise to pay attention to what he says. Guys like Swizzle represent the ranks of those who are creating new pieces for everyone to enjoy. This is also vital to Tiki’s continuity. You’re putting it out there and keeping the interest alive. Whether I like your work or not, you producers are Tiki heroes, so I thank you!

I don’t want to get gushy here, so I’m going to sign off.