Post #272089 by Tamapoutini on Wed, Dec 13, 2006 12:46 AM

What he was lamenting was the application of thick coats of bright red Dulux oil paint. Are you actually saying to do that is OK because ancient Maori would have used it if they had had it !?

And there is such a thing as authenticity to a period and a style. There is authenticity of ancient Polynesian art, and there is the authenticity of the Polynesian Pop period from the 30s to the 70s, and its heyday of Tiki Style in the 50s and 60s.

Firstly let me state for the record; I agree that seeing the older pieces painted over (at whatever time period) is a shame/travesty. But the people of the time had their own 'authentic' reasons & tastes as to what was 'good'; for arts sake, or whatever reason.

If we are talking about art made today, I believe the artist can do as they choose. Hopefully they explain their stance/approach, whether traditional or contemporary or a mish-mash of many.

I also agree with you that there are authentic periods of art/culture & that any reproductions of such should remain as pure as possible. The real debate is whether replication of 'lost' cultures should be attempted at all perhaps? By it's very nature a perfect replica can never be 'authentic' anyway.

Its the mindset we have lost, not the art...

Drink the daquiri, chuck the iPod, back to the jungle... :lol:

Tama