Post #386087 by Kaiwaza on Tue, Jun 10, 2008 3:35 PM

Hum..so, are you actually asking what WE think defines "tiki" art or are you looking for support of your definition?

I can only speak for myself. I don't use the term "tiki" art or "Poly Pop" because they seem to be created terms that came "after the fact." I guess that's the way it is with a lot of art forms, sometimes not being "defined" until they are history and we're looking back on them. "Tiki art" just seems a rather vague term. The term would sort of imply anything with a tiki on it, yet, I know it's going beyond that.
I think the mid-century aesthetic is important. It should LOOK like it came from mid-century in style & content. The cultural element should be there as well...whether Hawaiian, Pacific Island or Asian influenced..and a parody of the cultural element is fine as well, since it was rather tongue-in-cheek. In other words, beer cans and motorcycles somehow just make it seem out of sync to my personal image, as do the neon colors, which would not have been used at that time. Maybe "Mid 20th Century Tiki Lounge Art" would be a better term, although that's rather wordy.
I think part of the frustration is not wanting to set a very general term (like "tiki art")in stone that, I feel, should be a more specific term. "Tiki art" kind of SHOULD be anything that artists create in past, present, & future styles. We are talking about something very specific that should have a more specific term.....does that make any sense?