What if shag became the new Von Dutch?

Now that is a curly question. I dig shag's stuff, but what if it gets saturated to the point like Von Dutch is now?

I went to the markets and every clothing store had rip-off von dutch clothing. ( 3 shirts for $10! - rrp. $70ish for a genuine shirt)

What if these were shirts with shag prints on them? Would I still get the same kick as I do now if I spy a piece of shag? I dont think so...

If not shag, insert your favourite tiki brand/artist. What does everyone reckon?

Come get your "Benzart" T-shirts and Trucker caps here!

What if??

Shag worn by every street-monkey-chav in the UK , I shudder at the thought.

There have been discussions of this here before (please, thread detectives?).

Many here believe this already to be the case, especially in California. I brings up the whole "Sell out"/"Going commercial" issue about artists, which I do not buy into. If an artist so hits the nerve of the times and is so talented that pure popular demand explodes his output all over, more power to him, that is what every (ok, most) artist wants.

I know that Josh is very consciously choosing his licensing partners, making good use of the demand for his work, but simultaneously not compromising the quality of it. The comparison with the Von Dutch label, (which is mainly just that, not the art) does not really apply.

i got news...he already is the new von dutch and has been for some time....

On 2005-02-25 10:46, bigbrotiki wrote:
There have been discussions of this here before (please, thread detectives?).

Many here believe this already to be the case, especially in California. I brings up the whole "Sell out"/"Going commercial" issue about artists, which I do not buy into. If an artist so hits the nerve of the times and is so talented that pure popular demand explodes his output all over, more power to him, that is what every (ok, most) artist wants.

I know that Josh is very consciously choosing his licensing partners, making good use of the demand for his work, but simultaneously not compromising the quality of it. The comparison with the Von Dutch label, (which is mainly just that, not the art) does not really apply.

Excellent point. I think people are missing the fact that Shag is more of an artist with a pop cultural mainstay. The difference between Shag and Dutch is that Shag merchandise is purchased by people who are into Shag’s art or, at the very least, are into or have an appreciation for that type of pop culture art. I don't think you're going to see someone walking down the street with a shirt that simply has "SHAG" written across the chest. I don't think people are going to start buying Shag shirts, because that's the new hip thing to be wearing. On the other hand you have the Dutch stuff that is sold simply as the "Trend" clothing of today's youth without any knowledge as to what or whom Von Dutch was all about.

Where one is used to promote and display the works of the artist, the other is used simply to exploit the artist for financial gain.

[ Edited by: SON OF MOTHRA on 2005-02-25 13:50 ]

UNLESS everyone sees Jen, J-Lo, Madonna or wearing a Shag. Then watch out! My 10 year old will be sporting one with no clue.

Son of Mothra,

I think you are wrong.........

"I don't think you're going to see someone walking down the street with a shirt that simply has "SHAG" written across the chest."

(I've had my custom made Shag shirt for 3 years now)

On 2005-02-25 07:57, atomictonytiki wrote:
Shag worn by every street-monkey-chav in the UK , I shudder at the thought.

My town is the chav capitol of the world!!! And rest-assured, not a shag-shirt-wearer in the bunch!!! I have a Shag shirt somewhere (?). They're few and far between here!

Well said BigBro! The fact that there are so many Shag imitators these days says alot! As an artist, I've found his work inspiring and fun. Dare I say, his vision is timeless (at least well researched and executed). If we all held ourselves to John Lennon's standard of anti-commercialiality (I'm rambling), we'd all be going to HELL. Don't judge an artist based on who signs their paycheck!

....Who the f---'s Von Dutch?!

[ Edited by: FreakBear on 2005-02-25 23:12 ]

I am always amaized by the people wearing Von Dutch who have no idea who he is or what he did! It's actually kinda sickening.
I'll go up ask kids, "Hey, who's Von Dutch?" not ONE kid has ever been able to tell me. I make every attempt to make them feel ignorant and uneducated and walk away. I'm a dick like that, you know?

I mean, would kids wear a 'HITLER' shirt if Britnery Spears and Ashton what-ever was wearing one? Hell yes!

Although I can see the compairison to Shag and Von Dutch as talented artists, I cannot see Shag as being the innovator that Von Dutch was.

But, then again, who am I to say? I DO have a Shag t-shirt in my closet that I've never worn yet. (If I havent worn it in 4 years, I doubt if I will. I think I was hoping it would increase in value or something.)

Just my 2 cents.

As I stare at my large collection of Shag serigraphs and 2 originals, I can't help but wonder if the value of his work will continue to appreciate or has it peaked already?

Worse yet, what if he became the next Van Diesel?

Man, you guys are rough. I've got some Tommy Hilfiger shirts and I'll be up front with you: I don't know anything about him!

Bigbrotiki: I know this general area had been covered in topics before, but I thought it was significanyly different enough to establish a new thread.

Was Dr. Denton really a doctor?

On 2005-02-26 08:25, the75stingray wrote:
I mean, would kids wear a 'HITLER' shirt if Britnery Spears and Ashton what-ever was wearing one? Hell yes!

Well put! I'm pretty sure I've seen this sort of thing happen(kids and adults alike... scary!)! :lol:

I haven't followed the Von Dutch story entirely, but I gather he's an artist in his own right! I've seen tons of the liscensed merch and won't buy it for the reasons you describe!

On 2005-02-26 09:40, finkdaddy wrote:
Worse yet, what if he became the next Van Diesel?

...and then opened up for Van Halen?

What then?

KuKu

On 2005-02-27 11:36, KuKuAhu wrote:

On 2005-02-26 09:40, finkdaddy wrote:
Worse yet, what if he became the next Van Diesel?

...and then opened up for Van Halen?

What then?

KuKu

They'd all go whoop it up at Van De Kamp's restaurant. (If there are any left!)

...while wearing their vans.

driving a chevy..........van.

...with an overdue DVD of Van Helsing.

i just hope shag won't trip over his ottoman like dick van dyke.

On 2005-02-25 20:33, RevBambooBen wrote:
Son of Mothra,

I think you are wrong.........

"I don't think you're going to see someone walking down the street with a shirt that simply has "SHAG" written across the chest."

(I've had my custom made Shag shirt for 3 years now)

Ben,

I stand corrected.

It has now been proven.....Bamboo Ben is the forerunner of today's modern dress!

As a Laker fan who is captivated by tiki, I hope Bamboo Ben's Shag Laker attire catches on and does become the next Van Dutsch!

Eddie Munster in a custom "Shag" shirt is beyond "Von Dutch" It's "Van Gogh"!

On 2005-03-01 13:10, polynesian posh boy wrote:
Eddie Munster in a custom "Shag" shirt is beyond "Von Dutch" It's "Van Gogh"!

milk came out my nose when I read that!

I always laugh when I see 12 year olds wearing Misfits shirts... I don't think they realize it's a band, I think they just like the label!

On a completely different note, mr pineapple impressed the crap out of our 12 year old nephew, when he told him he had seen Iron Maiden live.

Who cares if Shag becomes 'mainstream'? if you like his stuff, it shouldn't matter whether it's cool or "cool" If you are REALLY cool, it shouldn't anyway...

Von Dutch was was the Real Deal when he and Big Daddy were painting signs at Knotts Berry Farm, and he will continue to be, long after the imbeciles have moved on. As for Shag peaking, I would bet against that.

[ Edited by: jimbo on 2005-03-11 10:26 ]

My take on this is that Von Dutch had to drink himself to death before anyone had the balls to exploit his name in this way.
I can't imagine a living artist agreeing to the wholesale commercialisation of his/her name as it detracts people from their art.

I think Kenneth Howard (aka Von Dutch) has rolled in his grave so that all those profitting from his name can kiss his rear seeing the man lived on the edge of poverty.

At an exhibit of Von Dutch's work a few years ago, I saw a statement he signed before his death. It stated that he did not want anyone to copyright any of his designs or works for profit . He wanted everything in public domain. Didn't exactly work out that way, did it?