Post #430523 by Cammo on Sun, Jan 25, 2009 6:57 AM

*"10,000 years of native arts, dancing, and the culture...

--which, as Sabu noted, does come to play here too, (as seen in the links I posted here earlier), but not primarily..."*

So here's the point; I disagree. I think Native Arts clearly ARE the primary influence and motivation and central interest of almost all the original mid-century "Tiki Style" artists, designers and architects. Mid-century mainland "Tiki Style" is a true, pure and honest (and often humorously misguided and misinformed) outpouring of interest in other cultures. It's such a basic point that collectors seem to miss it in their rush to collect.

This is a ridiculously easy point to prove.

Bob and Leroy visited Oceana first, and based all their following art on that visit. They were not an isolated case; Vic, Disney designers, etc. all had rooms of Oceanic Art before it was trendy here in the U.S. to collect this stuff. They just honestly liked it. They still like it.

Of course they do; it's their primary influence.

And yes, if you want an accurate history of Islander influence on Western culture, no, Tiki Central is not the place to find it. Agreed. Should it be a place to research and share such views? Sure, why not? It's not like we're stepping on any toes here....

... or maybe we are.