We need to talk about your kitsch problem... - General Tiki

K kkocka Tiki Socialite Joined: Jul 23, 2013 Posts: 887	K kkocka Posted posted on Tue, May 30, 2017 6:33 PM On 2017-05-30 16:28, CosmoReverb wrote: Just for my own edification, would we generally agree that this would be the foundation of why a ThinkGeek 'Yoda' tiki mug is generally rejected as "tiki," but something like the 'Hitch-hiking Ghosts' mug is accepted? Or is the "authenticity" of the manufacturer or source also a factor? (Or is the 'Ghosts' mug not generally accepted either, and so is a bad example.) Interesting point. Looking at the Trader Sam's Hitchhiking Ghost mug, I think it kinda works because it's stylized enough to keep the character elements but things like the grinning mouths could maybe have taken a more poly-totem look. It's certainly better than the straight up Jack Skellington pumpkin mug. Although now the more I look at it, the less tiki the ghosts look. I guess whether or not it's "accepted" depends on the leniency of the individual. I hold the belief that you can't just add faux wood cracks and BOOM it's tiki. I do like the mug for what it is though now I'm sorta admitting it's not very tiki. As far as the manufacturer thing goes, I'm thinking it isn't a simple yes or no question to answer. An authentic manufacturer can make stuff that is spot on but also then produce something that strays. Where it's coming from certainly plays a factor to a degree - if Oriental Trading Co. offers a mug, you sorta already know what you're getting. :wink:

On 2017-05-30 16:28, CosmoReverb wrote:
Just for my own edification, would we generally agree that this would be the foundation of why a ThinkGeek 'Yoda' tiki mug is generally rejected as "tiki," but something like the 'Hitch-hiking Ghosts' mug is accepted? Or is the "authenticity" of the manufacturer or source also a factor?

(Or is the 'Ghosts' mug not generally accepted either, and so is a bad example.)

Interesting point. Looking at the Trader Sam's Hitchhiking Ghost mug, I think it kinda works because it's stylized enough to keep the character elements but things like the grinning mouths could maybe have taken a more poly-totem look. It's certainly better than the straight up Jack Skellington pumpkin mug. Although now the more I look at it, the less tiki the ghosts look. I guess whether or not it's "accepted" depends on the leniency of the individual. I hold the belief that you can't just add faux wood cracks and BOOM it's tiki. I do like the mug for what it is though now I'm sorta admitting it's not very tiki.

As far as the manufacturer thing goes, I'm thinking it isn't a simple yes or no question to answer. An authentic manufacturer can make stuff that is spot on but also then produce something that strays. Where it's coming from certainly plays a factor to a degree - if Oriental Trading Co. offers a mug, you sorta already know what you're getting. :wink:

Post #776462 by kkocka on Tue, May 30, 2017 6:33 PM