Post #391603 by bigbrotiki on Fri, Jul 4, 2008 9:31 AM

I don't think that what we have been talking about here is off-topic or hijacking. Don't misunderstand the discussion as me only wanting to talk about MY books, What was being discussed here so far directly relates to the article (and the "Freaky Tiki MetroMix" one) that Vern posted a link to:

The way Tiki culture is presented to and perceived by the general public as opposed to what it entails in its entirety. Of course, as I said, I do know and dig the fact that it was about booze and broads to a large degree, but routinely it is this escapist party angle that is being purported by the media, and consequently that is what the majority of people "understand" Tiki to be.

Yet I rarely see it described as complete art style of its own, that had its own architecture, encompassing not only restaurants but Motels, apartments, bowling alleys, etc, and its own design, like furniture and kitchen wares (beyond mugs). It was this ingenuity and creativity that drew me to Tiki culture, and that I try to relate in my books, and that makes it worthwhile preserving for future generations for me.

When I said above...

On 2008-07-02 12:12, bigbrotiki wrote:
The Tiki revival seems to get a second boost nowadays thru the backdoor of the cocktail, largely thanks to the work of Jeff Berry, who landed several NY Times articles since Sippin' Safari was published. My "Tiki Modern" in turn has had no significant American reviews or notices worth mentioning (..yet 23 write ups throughout Europe!). I appears that a Zombie is much easier digested by the journalists then the bulky, rough aesthetic of WITCO ! :D

...it was merely an observation of that fact, not a critique. It is what it is. And I am glad for whatever method is successful to get more people interested in Tiki (not saying true Poly pop mixology isn't complex enough by itself), there always will be some that will dig deeper and find it all.