TIKI MODERN: Apologies, Comments, Critique and ...questions

First off, it has been laying heavy on my mind that, because I was only able to TOUCH on the Tiki revival in the last chapter of TIKI MODERN, I could not adequately represent ALL the great talent out there. But keeping in mind its title, "The Legacy of Witco and the Tiki Revival", the beginning of the chapter really was mainly there to provide the context for the work of the two main inheritors of the Witco style, Bosko and Ken Pleasant, (who each got two double pages at the end).

As I said before, I really believe I should make a "Great Big Book of the Tiki revival" soon, in which I will be able to adequately portray all the incredibly talented and inspired artists and personalities who contributed to it. Here, in this last chapter, I am mainly writing and showing examples of the EARLY Tiki revival, up to c.a. 2003, and I beg forgiveness from all those friends and artists who I could not include because of space limitations.

Next, I would like to hear some honest opinions about the book...and for someone to find that one embarassing typo that makes me cringe each time I look at it! :)
I am my own hardest critic, so don't be afraid. There is stuff I don't like (like the whiteness) in it, too.

Third, I am happy to answer questions, but please peruse the other threads on Tiki Modern first, in one I already explained what I define as "TIKI MODERN" style, and especially READ the damn book itself before you ask stuff, or I might take the liberty to not pay attention. :)

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2007-09-18 12:31 ]

My copy will be shipped today so I hope I'll get it within the next days...I'll post my opinion then, but I think it will be nothing but positive...and yeah, I'd really like to see a "Tiki-Revival"-book soon :) ...

i'm really looking forward to receiving my copy of tiki modern. i think "tiki revival" would make it a perfect trilogy. as a collector of mainly tiki revival art, this is a subject i'm especially fond of. i also am thinking some of my pieces (like "the discovery" by thorsten hasenkamm) would look great in a sven kirsten book. :D

[ Edited by: kingstiedye 2007-09-14 20:00 ]

Yes please Sven!

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

So I'm thinking:

Old Testament:
The Book of Tiki: Origins of Polynesian Pop

New Testament:
Tiki Modern ...and the Wild World of Witco: The new covenant

The Revelations of St. Sven:
The Tiki Revival: Post Modern Tiki Artists of the 21st Century

Better get a bigger coffee table...

I just opened the Stephen Crane Kon-Tiki concoctions spread pgs.84-85 and it melted my brain. WOW! :o Thank you Sven.

I hate the damn page numbers. Because they HAD to be in the same typeface than the chapter numbers, half of the time I cannot figure out if it's a 5, 6, 8 or 9!

I just got my copy of Tiki Modern and I gotta say I love it! Even better than the first one!

I just got an email from Amazon.com . . . saying that there would be a one month delay before they can ship my copy of Tiki Modern.

I just got the same email from Amazon as well. So I have to wait another month. It will be worth it. Scott

It's boooootiful... just an amazing piece of work! I can't wait to find the typo... "Tiki meets where's Waldo; Film at 11"!! For those of you yet to get your hands on the book, you're in for a treat!!

Gotta love Amazon.com! They send me an email today 9-18 telling me that I have until 9-18 to approve the delay OR ELSE my order will be cancelled but it's already been cancelled when I go to their link! Not only has the incessant delay in the book being produced ridiculous, now I go to the back of the line because the Amazon people don't get it that I paid in advance. Cancelling prepaid orders is just plain ridiculous! I'm giving up. No book is worth this hassle.

I got mine last week directly from Taschen, it's a beautiful book! I'm really taking my time enjoying each section......big ma halo Sven for putting together another masterpiece!
If I really had to be critical, the white background is a little......well, blah and the only messup I've found so far is on page 110, the Kalua room postcard image is split and offset.......seriously what the hell?
I'm just kidding, Tiki Modern is freak'in awsome!
It's like Tiki porn for my eyes.......oh la la!
Hope everyone else get's there copy soon!

bn.com has copies of the book available for immediate shipment (as of 9/18). I placed my order today and expect delivery by the end of the week!

bn.com is saying this for me right now

List Price: $39.99

Online Price: $31.99 (Save 20%)

Members Pay: $28.79 Join Now

Available for Pre-Order
This item will be available on October 14.

Cancel your order @ amazon.com and place your order directly @ TASCHEN just like I did...

--> http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/popculture/all/03881/facts.htm

Critique

I found one mistake with the book. I have been thinking about this for the last couple days. Your last book had this, other books have had this and yet the Modern Tiki is without one. It's missing its accompanying tiki mug. The release this big is an event and most events have a mug every year.

Your next book, which is a must, needs a mug. Mug contest, or multiply artist making their own work to sell at the release. I'll do the sculpt. The mug for Modern Tiki should have been a Witco mug. Next book, three day event :)

This was mentioned on another thread, but you can get a copy signed by Sven from 8-Ball.

On 2007-09-18 16:42, MakeDaMug wrote:
It's boooootiful... just an amazing piece of work! I can't wait to find the typo... "Tiki meets where's Waldo; Film at 11"!! For those of you yet to get your hands on the book, you're in for a treat!!

Page 6

Eli instead of Ely ?

lol!

...or order a signed one (albeit for the full price) at 8 Ball webstore, I presigned 20 before I left, Naomi is very quick with shipping.
I just got into Hamburg.

On 2007-09-19 11:32, bigbrotiki wrote:
...I just got into Hamburg.

Glad you arrived safely.

Remember, today is the 13th annual International Talk Like A Pirate Day:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk_like_a_pirate_day

You may want to find one of these:
http://www.tikicentral.com/uploads/7673/46f16c44.jpg

TK, regarding the Tiki Modern mug: There are TWO mugs in the works. One Witco mug, and one TIKI MODERN mug (in the same vein than the BOT one). But I started late, they won't be out until after X-mas.

Regarding the signed copies available at 8-Ball: Once I get back to town, around mid-October, there will be another signing, this time at 8-ball in Burbank, on a weekend. Official event post will follow.

On 2007-09-19 11:32, bigbrotiki wrote:
...or order a signed one (albeit for the full price) at 8 Ball webstore, I presigned 20 before I left, Naomi is very quick with shipping.
I just got into Hamburg.

Done- thanks for the suggestion. I can't wait to get it!

Hey Sven: I ordered one from 8 Ball also since Amazon is screwing around. Plus I would rather the profit go to a small buisness anyway. This with go with my Icons book you signed for April and I. Thanks, Scott

On 2007-09-19 06:52, teaKEY wrote:
Critique

I found one mistake with the book. I have been thinking about this for the last couple days. Your last book had this, other books have had this and yet the Modern Tiki is without one. It's missing its accompanying tiki mug. The release this big is an event and most events have a mug every year.

Your next book, which is a must, needs a mug. Mug contest, or multiply artist making their own work to sell at the release. I'll do the sculpt. The mug for Modern Tiki should have been a Witco mug. Next book, three day event :)

I don't miss the mug part as much because IMO the book is close to perfect! Of course, one can always want more of this or that (in my case it's the new Tiki-artists-part, what else? :wink: ), but even a book this big cannot contain everything...that's one of the reasons Sven did another TIKI-bible, Part II...

my book from 8 ball arrived today. i'm still in part 1, but i wanted to stop and post about my excitement. i think you've even surpassed BOT. also, mahalo for the great inscription: to bullet, a man with good bad taste!

Sven, will you be offering the personalized edition on 8-Ball again once you return in October? I saw the offer, but just now thought of a great inscription, to give as a gift.

Dunno...have to see with Naomi. I'll probably blank-sign some extra ones, but it took her hours to figure out how to program her site so the inscription box would come up in the offer. :) Should be easier the second time around, though...we'll see.

Folks, thank you so much for all the kudos, I am so glad the book pleases. It took a long time to be done, because it was a tall order for me to make it live up to the BOT, but it seems I succeeded. Pheew!

I am OK with the different, more sparse lay out, the mass and quality of images supersedes all. But there still are some pages where a colored background would have made the ephemera pop out much better...

Got mine today...signed by Uncle Sven.

I usually finish whatever book I'm reading before I start on a new one...but not this time.

Agreed on amazon screwin around - I pre ordered early on (Not knowing about 8ball thing) and then got multiple back order no shipping statements. Just standing by for now wishing wanting needing.... Amazon makin me mad. It wasn't about the saving $ it was the getting of the book.

ARRGHH - ( not in a pirate way)

OUCH! MY FLAMIN' EYEBALLS HURT!!!!

Is it Xmas already? I've just got in from work and Sian handed me the TIKI MODERN book...Compose yourself Trader Jim...it's only a book...keep telling yourself, it's only a book, it's only a book...Damnit! It's not ONLY a book it's THE book!! Sven has not only lived up to expectations, he has bloomin' well over shot them my a mile. That might not sound like a compliment... What?...you didn't think he could do something this good? Of course we did, but...I'm spee...I'm spee...I'm...I'm speech...speechless...well, nearly speechless!

I've had to put it down!...I was shaking so much, I was worried I was going to drop it and compromise it's eBay resale value!! Just kidding, this one's a keeper for sure! Damn fine! So much tiki eye candy to feast your eyes on - it's bedazzling! It is going to be hard to sit down and concentrate on reading it. Still luckily I do have a good attention... What's that Sian? There's a package from Germany needs opening? Sorry where was I? Oh yeah! I do have a good attention...and one from the States you say? Ummm...attention span, yes, I do have a good attention span!

Sven, I'm looking forward to shaking you by the hand and buying you a Mai-Tai in Berlin on Saturday night, hardly fair payment for such efforts but I couldn't afford what this tome is really worth, that's a FACT! There's no actual scientific evidence, but it IS a FACT! IT'S PRICELESS!!!!

Now...I've got a book to read! 'Hula Hanky Panky' Magazine can wait tonight...I need my strength!!

All the Best from Tiki Towers - Trader Jim (Make mine a TIKI MODERN-TAI!).

Whoa, Jim! I hope you're not gonna embarrass me in public with any overly emotional demonstrations of excitement! :wink:

what IS up with 8ball's shipping?! 13 bux?!

With the box, the package weighs 5 pounds +. Naomi underestimated the first shipments because she did not know the book was that heavy. Sorry, the next book will be smaller. :D

Sven, i recieved my release poster today...WOW..it's great...i love the color.and the artwork ..it will look great behind the bar..thanks again for getting it to me....dale

Sven-

We got our book yesterday, it is incredible.

Endless eyecandy.

It was a special treat to turn the page to the 2 page layout of Miles "kooche" Thompsons "tapa", my toddler son looked at it, smiled and promptly pointed above the fireplace where the original hangs.

I did not think you could to the "Book of Tiki", but you have.

We can not wait to see what you come up with next.

"Tiki Modern" just arrived here in the solitude hills of south Austria via post service. First I have to say that the cover with its linen is very beautiful. It reminds me of the books I used to borrow at the college library, and I'm sure that it will find its way in libraries soon too, as a standard of its own.
After opening it and skiming through the pages, WOW!
A very beautiful book with lots of beautiful and rare photos. In my opinion the author did a very great job with ranging from the subject matter from Otto Freundlichs works to the contemporary works of Ken Pleasent. It covers the great and most persuasives artgenres in architecture and sculpture of the 20th century, which - most of them - were founded in the United States.
If you liked the Book of Tiki (well, who doesn't?) it seems that this book intrudes much deeper in the whole topic and I see it as a kind of supplement which leads the reader to much more information and helps to understand the topics much more. Very well done!

Decided to get mine through 8-Ball because:

1- I get it quicker than waiting for Amazon

B- Buying there supports Sven directly

and

:music: It's my birthday! It's my birthday! :music:

Not so easy to hold while sitting on the toilet.

On 2007-09-21 16:04, tikigreg wrote:
:music: It's my birthday! It's my birthday! :music:

Happy B-Day TikiGreg!

WOW...i just got my copy of tiki modern.......its...its....its.....incredible.....eye candy galore....information galore....i cant put it down...its a cross between refernce...inspiration and history...i overwelmed with the amount of infomation and visual content....if you dont have a copy yet...youre in for a treat......thanks Sven ...... signed and 40bucks plus shipping.!!!....way to cheap...

i overwelmed with the amount of infomation and visual content.

That's the truly remarkable thing about this book...it's PACKED with some unbelievable eye candy, which I'm sure is why the book is so BIG. I'm a little more than half way through and I know I'll have to start over as soon as I get to the end. It's WAY too much to take in on one pass.

On 2007-09-20 18:17, nimereht wrote:
what IS up with 8ball's shipping?! 13 bux?!

Here's the official explanation:

"Because Amazon (and Taschen) are large companies that ship thousands of books every day, they have a bulk media mail permit from the post office that gives them reduced shipping rates, which they then pass on to you.

8 Ball does not do that kind of volume (yet), so we cannot offer bulk media mail rates. Instead, we ship using UPS and Priority Mail, both of which are quicker than media mail--and UPS is trackable so you know exactly where your book is.
AND we ship--which apparently Amazon does not. : )

8 Ball has shipped over 50 copies of Tiki Modern so far, and it seems that UPS Ground service shipping costs average about $7-$9.

If for some reason you have a higher cost, please know that these rates are fed directly from ups.com and usps.com and are based on weight and distance. There are 6 different shipping options to choose from so that you're able to find the most reasonable rate.

And a BIG thank you to all you TCers who ordered from my store! It is VERY appreciated!"

Just checked the Amazon page, and it says that delivery can take 3 to 6 weeks now! It seems evident that they under-ordered the book, and are sold out until the next shipment from Hongkong arrives.

I am sorry for this, but I was wondering if some folks that already have the book will feel motivated and rate the book on its Amazon page, and post their reviews there. None have been posted so far, and I would take any one of the nice reviews above, thank you very much! :)

I got mine the other day from 8 ball. Thanks Sven it's WONDERFUL!!! And please don't ever make it smaller because of weight, that's just silly.

On 2007-09-22 09:04, tiki leki wrote:
I got mine the other day from 8 ball. Thanks Sven it's WONDERFUL!!! And please don't ever make it smaller because of weight, that's just silly.

DITTO!!! I ordered through 8 Ball and Taschen...gotta have two of these books in my house. I have only read the intro and a few other pieces so far, but made it through all the pictures and captions....simply AWESOME. :) I personally like the white background, it makes reading easier, plus the pictures really show up well and don't have to compete with any other colors. Your research is amazing and the layout is very well organized. It is so heavy I could hardly hold it on my lap...LOL...but the paper quality is just superb and love the texture of the cover.

I am looking forward to reading it from cover to cover...I have so much to learn. We are blessed to have your enthusiasm of tiki and art of writing to enjoy. :)

Sven,
I'll be in Beverly Hills next weekend. Do you know if they still have copies of Tiki Modern at that Taschen? Is the deal that they have copies in stock? This Midwesterner would enjoy getting his copy while in Calif. I'll call 'em, but it occurred to me you might know. Like everyone else, I'm exited and can't wait to get the book.

I ordered my book from 8-ball before I left for Germany. In the dedication textbox, I put something like "please make a dedication as you see fit..."

Apparently, when the web form was submitted, the text in the dedication box was put down as just a '?' (question mark). To my horror, I get a voicemail while in Dusseldorf from Naomi, and she said my dedication was just a question mark, and to confirm if that is what I really wanted. Unless I called back, Sven would be autographing the book that evening, and he would put down just a '?' as my dedication.

Because I was already 9 hours ahead, it was far too late to call her. When I returned home, my book was waiting. And to my great joy, Sven wrote a very nice dedication, rather than a '?'.

Thanks so much Sven. A great book by all accounts.... and thanks for not writing a question mark for the dedication!!!

Thanks everyone! Yeah, that question mark seemed questionable, and when I recognized your TC name, I knew it was a mistake.
Since I am on the other side of the world right now, I am not privy as to the contents of the LA Taschen store, sorry.

But I have the inside info that 8-Ball is sold out now. :)

It seems that I am in 2nd and 3rd place on the style/ home & garden bestseller list on Amazon right now (or at least was, last night). :D