Pop Primitivism

On 2009-02-24 08:29, Zeta wrote:
Bought it in an antique store in Mexico...

I know it is from Alaska but... Alaska is in the Pacific, so...

Label under the figure in Spanish... Nice 1950's typography.
Maybe we should start a web page: http://www.totemcentral.com

On 2009-02-24 10:51, bigbrotiki wrote:
OR start a thread on POP PRIMITIVISM, which incorporates American Indian, Pre-Columbian and African decor concepts. Below is a 1965 L.A. Times article excerpt about a house tour which proves how these styles were en vogue and co-existed all at the same time from the lat 50s to the 60s (and must have been mixed somtimes too)--as I pointed out in Tiki Modern:

Mahalo to Nichols for this find. :)

On 2009-02-24 13:02, Zeta wrote:
... Sounds like a nice crib! Like living in a Museum. Melting pot of cultures and all that. It is interesting that the pinnacle of Modernism, Classic Americana, hey day of capitalism,(1945 end of world war II) is also the beginning of Post modernism, the decline in many aspects, quality, "values" etc... Where everything goes... If you ask me, all those different Idols did it. It is Tiki's fault. Happened before with every empire, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Mexico, Spain... All the exterior influence is great and make the empire grow stronger, until It ends up diluting the local culture... Pre-classic, Classic, Post-classic... Happened before, is happening now and will happen again, If the world doesn't end soon, that is. Now we are living in late post-modernism... Ramones and the Sex Pistols started it... Or at least that is my theory...
Enough coffee for me.

So, without further ado, here we will post everything that we know it is NOT Tiki in style but in spirit, meaning, everything that is supposed to be primitive but is in fact made of plastic (or any material) mass produced in a factory for a developed country. Buildings too. Could be Native American Pop, Egyptian Pop, African Pop, Greek Pop or anything you find and want to share.
For example:

If this Neo-Aztek building where located in Mexico, it would not be a big surprise, but the building was in Spain. It was three times the size you see in the picture. I will post some interior shots latter... It is a small world after all.

Whoaa, not so fast, young man! :wink: Let's take Greek and Egyptian arts out of that equation, they were regarded as the classic cultures, not "primitive" ones. And for further clarification of what was what in mid-century design: Chinese and Asian art fell under "Exotica". German under kitsch. So as valid sources for pop primitivism (other than Polynesian and Oceanic art) we have:

African, Pre-Columbian, North-American Indian, and Eskimo art. Their mid-century application as decor and utilitarian objects is what this thread shall be about. But only if they relate to the spirit of classic Tiki and Tiki Modern.

Examples:

These two modern primitive (African-inspired) "Ran Su" masks:

Postcard of rendering of Aztec Motel, Anaheim:

Detail of pool statue at Aztec Motel:

American Indian dishware by Sascha Brastoff:

...and of course, places like Arturo's:

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=31258&forum=2

I visited the home of Dr. Lonnie Hammergren this weekend in Las Vegas. He is a avid collector and has various styles of primitive art.
He opens his home on Nevada day to the public but I hear it is a wild party and impossible to see his collection.
There are more pictures on the post "Tiki at Dr Lonnie Hammergren's."

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I don't have any pictures of my own, and don't want to steel anyone else's, but the Mayan Theatre in downtown LA would be a great example.

Whoaa! :o Great pictures!
Bigbrotiki, you are right, I got too exited thinking about Egyptian Pop and Greek Pop... I know those where not primitive. (as in savage, they were primitive as in originators.) It is funny and relative what makes a culture primitive or not.

Definition of Primitive culture found in Wikipedia: In older anthropology texts and discussions, a primitive culture is one that lacks major signs of economic development or modernity. ...

For example, Mayans are considered "the Greek of the Caribbean" developed an amazing culture with refined abstract thinking, yet never "discovered" the wheel or harvesting... and where cannibals.
I was trying to post something like "Ancient civilization Pop" but that term doesn't sound "cool" or catchy... Maybe the correct term is Kitsch, but That doesn't describe it either. Oh well, I guess we could start another thread... I just wanted to show this nice postcard from a 1960's discotheque in Spain called "Cleopatra" :
Sorry for the small size, I don't have the original with me right now.
And for dessert, Egyptian plastic.
Tomorrow, Aztec Pop interiors...

Atlante Spanish-Tolteca.

You should try the Gran Licor Tolteca it contains. Made in Mallorca.
Bebida para grandes guerreros.

From this thread: http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=31258&forum=2&6

On 2009-02-09 21:38, Zeta wrote:
Muy bonito! From all the idols shown in the pictures, only 2 1/2 existed in pre-hispanic Mexico:
The small green Toltec Atlantean warrior next to the (Ku) surf tiki, and the Aztec calendar. The painting on the wall with the fangs looks Olmec but is a "reinterpretation". Everything else is Neo-Aztec.
From Tiki finds...

On 2009-02-05 09:20, Zeta wrote:
One of my favorite pieces:

Toltec Atlantean warrior decanter and mini shots. Aztec Pop, I looked for this one for years, finally found it in perfect condition complete with bottle cap and the 4 shots. 50 pesos = 3.5 U.S. dollars. Now I can drink tequila in my tiki bar with style, without being worried about disrespect purist exotic style.

Those matches are GREAT Sabu!

On 2009-02-26 11:14, Zeta wrote:

On 2009-02-08 11:45, Sabu The Coconut Boy wrote:
Although the old matchbook has its plusses :down:

On 2009-02-09 21:52, Zeta wrote:

The stone Atlantis again...

The real ones...

Wasn't sure where to post this little guy, so I decided to try him here. An interesting tiki-like mug from the Churrascaria Gruta in San Jose Dos Campos, Brazil. Not sure of the origins of this art from?

DC

This Toltec stone Atlante warriors are my favorite stone idols from pre-hispanic Mexico...
They are in the middle of nowhere.
As with any cool mystery, there are various "theories"...
They where supposed to come to life when Toltec witch doctors (like Carlos Castaneda) put their "intent" in them... like a Frankenstein, like a golem, like a stone robot. How cool is that?!
They are representations of aliens, if you look closely, they are holding a triangle shaped space laser ray gun.
They are representations of warriors from the lost island of Atlantis, they came all the way from the middle of the Atlantic ocean to keep their knowledge safe in Mexico,(the rest of the surviving Atlanteans went to the north of Spain and the South of France and became the Basques... but that is another story) latter the Toltec shaman learned the knowledge and kept it in secret, until the Conquistadors came and kill most of them, then the french came, then the gringos... Now that knowledge is gone forever, right?
They look kinda Tiki to me, so this is my theory, please don't steal it.
They look a lot like Easter Island Moais. Here is why:
Both are made of stone.
Both are tall.
Both have long ears.
Both wear "hats"
And the weirdest of the coincidences, they both wear a belt with some strange circle on the back, which actually, is called "nucleo de integracion", this gave them super powers. This is almost accepted by modern neurology to explain the super human feats accomplished by witchdoctors, shamans and martial artists.
Believe it or not...
Suck on that one Erich von Däniken!

Cool DC!!! That is bizarre! Churrasquerias are a type of Brazilian grill.
One more thing about Toltec Atlantean stone warrios and Moais...

The weird belt I was talking about. Picture from the Moai in the British Museum.

More liquor bottle primitive art (and other items):

African Vudu

indiscernible totemism

Peruvian pottery

Back of the same bottle

Non-Aloha Jhoe's S. Brastoff candle holder

Senor Pico plate warmer...

...c1965 by Trader Vic

She is the greatest-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r5zMmlAwts&feature=related

This classic female idolater has her place here too, then:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ker24VSMImo&feature=PlayList&p=623FC3943EC53860&index=1

On 2009-02-24 18:52, bigbrotiki wrote:
Postcard of rendering of Aztec Motel, Anaheim:

Detail of pool statue at Aztec Motel:

Ah, the Aztec Motel. That was the motel of choice for my my parents when we made our annual pilgrimages to Southern California for a theme park vacation. I have many fond memories of that place, although it wasn't quite as cool as in those artist renderings. I never saw any statues, and the pool area wasn't that swanky, at least when I went there, but they had a really cool bowling alley on the premises. The hotel and bowling alley were still around early to mid 1990's. I went searching for the Aztec in the late 1990's, and it was gone. Coco Loco and I even cruised around that area last year before Tiki Oasis. Now it's a strip mall or something. It was actually located on Beach Blvd in Buena Park, one block from Knott's Berry Farm. Thanks for posting the cool postcard, Sven!

On 2009-02-26 22:25, bigbrotiki wrote:
More liquor bottle primitive art (and other items):

Bigbro. Just a comment on your photographs. Those are some beautiful snapshots my friend. Eyecandy :D

Thank you. All in natural light. After so many years of being in the business of lighting for film, I can "see the light".

Sven,

I bet you got those bottles during your liquor store trolling days with Beachbum!

DC

Aaah, the golden days of liquor store archeology in the mid 90s, when there were still some old mom & pop liquor stores where you could dig for the dusty, forgotten back-shelf bottles and find Don The Beachcomber mixes and other unwanted relics!

Hotel Don Pancho.
It´s my favorite Pre-Columbian inspired building in Spain.
You still can enjoy all its exotic splendor at really affordable prices.

Really dig your cabinets there BigBro...nice.

Here is a piece that my mother in-law gave to me about 10 years back. It's a hand made brass platter with a stone mosaic layer on it...it could use a cleaning. I think she told me that she brought it in a NY auction house sometime in the late 60's. I would have to check with her again to verify that...but anyway, It seems to fit into this Pop Primitive thread here. I have always liked this platter...it looks a little African(?) to me in a Modern kind of way :)

On 2009-02-26 22:25, bigbrotiki wrote:
More liquor bottle primitive art (and other items):

African Vudu

Bigbro, is this Vudu bottle from Spain?
It seems familiar to to me.

Some images from a zoo near Cadiz.

Cool idols fountains to cool-down visitors

Aztec interiors in Spain

Mask time. Bigbro maybe you can give the yes or no if these qualify as pop-primitive. First up a set of masks from California Crafts.

Next a set in plaster and unmarked.


I only have one of these but I'm sure it came as a set as well. Made by American Arts. Also made of plaster.

One of my favorite pieces in wood.

And my pride and joy. I know this has to be at the top end of pop-primitive.

Love this guy!:

He and his pardner are definitely Tiki Modern, which is a part of pop primitivism. I mostly want to reserve this thread for non-Oceanic/Tiki art though, like modernist African and Pre-Columbian pop, which would otherwise find no place here on TC.
And that Witco piece is right on, yes.

On 2009-03-17 21:17, Coco Joe wrote in "Tiki or not Tiki":

Cannibal zombie black ink ballpoint pen.

I have another bottle like this one, in case anyone is interested in buying or trading...

Mini forks made in Mexico...

They look very tiki to me...

Detail

Tlaloc mug

On 2009-02-24 19:44, Tiki Shaker wrote:
I don't have any pictures of my own, and don't want to steel anyone else's, but the Mayan Theatre in downtown LA would be a great example.

Indeed! The Mayan is among my most favorite buildings in Los Angeles. I am glad I got to squeeze two small photos from it into Tiki Modern. If someone would give me a grip truck and a lighting crew, I could spend a whole week shooting the interior of this most amazing "Mayan Revival" Temple, which has remained pretty much unaltered since it was built in 1927.

Below are some photos from different time periods that only cover a small portion of its splendor:

Part of the proscenium:

Stairs on the upper floor:

Stairs detail:

Detail of the auditorium ceiling:

This is the only photo that conveys a sense of the size of the auditorium and its rich decorations
(note the bar stools for scale):

This text describes its history (not really the "Why"):

The Mayan Theatre, at 1040 South Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles, opened for live shows, in particular, musical comedies, on August 15, 1927 with the stage musical "Oh Kay!" starring Elsie Janis. Carved stone serpent heads, seven warrior figures in full head-dress (each representing the god of war, each used to light up after dark!) and celestial symbols and hieroglyphics were designed by artist Francisco Cornejo to ornament the structure designed by architects Morgan, Walls and Clements. That architectural firm also designed the exteriors of both the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood and of the Wiltern Theatre.

Inside, every square inch of the decor is fantastical Mayan Revival, from the floor paving to the furniture and fixtures. The entry lobby is a hall of Inscriptions and is coated with hieroglyphics. The foyer is the Hall of Feathered Serpents, In the auditorium, the huge central, polychromed plaster and metal chandelier is a replica of an Aztec calendar stone. The original painted fire safety curtain depicted Mayan jungles and temples, which completed the decorative scheme of the theatre.

The Mayan Theatre, which opened with 1,491 seats, was at first a legitimate theatre, then it showed second run movies. In the 1940's, the theatre was a burlesque house and it is rumored that in 1948 a young Marilyn Monroe appeared here. By the end of the decade it tried arthouse films. From March 3rd 1950, the Mayan was the crown jewel of Francisco Fouce's chain of Mexican film venues and the first presentation was - 'Direct from Buenos Aires' one of Latin America's biggest stars Libertad Lamarque, 'live on stage and on the screen'. The theatre became an adult porn theatre in the early 1970's (some of the films were shot in the basement of the theatre) and around 1977 it was converted into a triple-screen theatre, still screening adult movies.

The auditorium has now been de-tripled and the current nightclub use, replete with the theatre's original exotic Mayan interior, opened February 1990 and renamed The Mayan.

Amazing Bigbro! Thanks for sharing...

Rare Quetzalcohatl (feathered snake) mug... I have only seen this mug once. The question is: Where was it used? I have no clue.

"monos"
From Peru... Who wants to translate?

On 2009-06-08 11:49, Zeta wrote:
"monos"
From Peru... Who wants to translate?

According to BabelFish (Spanish to English):

Wood statuette, call monkeys representing a human being
to who it seems that one is transparent the skeleton and
diverse bodies to him of his body. This art has lasted,
and the present peraunos carve sculptures of this type
to the export.

Canibalitos = Cute cannibals

Vintage toy made in Spain

How about Native American pop primitivism ?

Cigar store Indians might be a stretch since they're not really based on Native American art.

But like Tikis they are kitchy carvings representing a "primitive" culture.

There's also the Wigwam chain of motels that might qualify....

But maybe a teepee isn't so much art as it is a functional design.

Totem poles would be the obvious choice but I don't have any pop culture examples at hand. I'll add it to my list of things to do. :)

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2010-01-13 17:09 ]

Hey JOHN-O, cool pictures!

Vintage plastic mask key chain from an undetermined origin

From the "Acapulco" restaurant in the beachfront of Alicante, Spain.

Picture taken by yours truly.
The owners of the place have no clue about the exotic origin of it's locale.

Found this hardcover book today:

and here's the paperback version of a mystery that takes place in the Yucatan:

Toltec atlante mug

I like it a lot.
Saw it on ebay... I wonder where it come from...

Found this Tequila bottle in El Rastro.
It´s still unopened, but I´m afraid I could unleash a terrible maldición if I open it.
It looks really scary.

On 2009-04-09 00:18, bigbrotiki wrote:

Indeed! The Mayan is among my most favorite buildings in Los Angeles. I am glad I got to squeeze two small photos from it into Tiki Modern. If someone would give me a grip truck and a lighting crew, I could spend a whole week shooting the interior of this most amazing "Mayan Revival" Temple, which has remained pretty much unaltered since it was built in 1927.

Below are some photos from different time periods that only cover a small portion of its splendor:

Part of the proscenium:

i

Wow!! I used to love going to the Mayan for raves back in the glorious 80s!
And, I never knew then it had Tiki significance.

Jaguar painting and electric meter
Valle de Bravo Mexico

note the graffiti reads: "Everything is worth dick"

I have some vintage aloha shirts with pre Hispanic inspired designs.
Maybe “hola shirt” should be a proper term.
Funny thing is that this shirts are from different aloha shirt Hawaiian manufacturers.
Extraño crossover…