Post #654247 by Tiki Shark Art on Wed, Oct 3, 2012 2:52 AM

ALOHA TIKI TRIBE!
I am nervous.
I've been asked to speak at the University of Hawaii about "Tiki Culture".

Coming up this month, on Oct 8th, yeah... I've been asked to speak as some kinda expert at the University of Hawaii and tell them intelligent things about "Tiki-culture".
Boy, I'm darned nervous, but... also excited to have this chance to inspire & corrupt young minds. Spread the knowledge of our sub-culture. Let the young people know about "Kustom Culture" & "Low Brow Art" & of course the counter culture art and glorious rich history of "TIKI Culture"...a thing that is strangely not so well known here in Hawaii - "Tiki"s ancient stomping grounds.

I may be up against some hard core actual Hawaiian Culture folks, who think I'm just some haole appropriating true Hawaiian Culture. - but I hope to let them know Tiki Culture is not here to replace Hawaiian Culture. HECK! We love real Hawaiian Culture, (how could we not? It's the mother that gave birth to us) but, we are more about "Hawaiiana" ... the make-believe Hawaii that the Hawaiian Tourist Bureau created in the 40's to bring world wide tourist money to the islands. This OZ-like Hawaii has gotten lost in the 80's... but we love it's unique and strange cartoon/Disney/psychedelic re-mix of many Polynesian art forms, transmogrified into a newly current resurgence as a different south seas world all together.

I know I mix in a lot more of the dark mythic things from ancient Hawaiian culture, Things so thrillingly told me by my Hawaiian best buddy, as well as many pop culture icons & things not from Hawaii, - but that mix well - at least in my mind.

Sheesh... think what I'll do is hand out some 2012 calenders I have left, plus my art post card, things representing my style of art. Let them know the images I am making... pictures should get what I do across. Wish me luck.

Anyone have any other good ideas that could help me?
Thanks , Mahalo & ...
ALOHA -