Post #464932 by Kiki von Tiki on Fri, Jun 26, 2009 9:47 PM

Squid said "Everyone derives something different from every piece of art they see, tiki or not. Something that's "hard hitting" to me may be "eh, whatever" to someone else. That's the great thing about art AND music. One size does not fit all. "

Agreed. Art is and should be a visual interpretation of an idea or feeling. Those who are not of a mind with the artist will not see it in the same way. But they just may derive something else from it that even the artist didn't mean to express. Art is meant to express and create feelings, whether they are silly and playful feelings or angst ridden socio-political doctrines.

And regarding the earlier postings regarding "craft" vs "art", I have to say, did we learn nothing from the dadaists and surrealists? Trash can be composed into art, a teacup can be lined in fur and be art. If I pile elephant poop in the corner (and, yes, kiddles, this HAS been done) and say it's art, then by gum, it is art, since it is (assumedly) some expression of an idea or feeling that I had. You either get it or you don't, you may like it or you don't, but that doesn't mean it's not art.

There is some modern tiki art that is TIKI ART in the big historical context that is interesting and beautiful but not very inspiring to me. Sorry. I can read a book and look at pictures of indigenous art (which was "craft" to those people by the way) and understand the beauty and skill of the work they did. Doesn't say that it's not valuable to me, or interesting, I just don't have a connection with the artist. And then there's some that's more "craft" and that's ok too, I enjoy it for being a decorative object or beautiful useful object and value the skill of the craftsperson. That's where I hang my own hat, by the way, as a craftsperson. But that doesn't mean that the "craft" is like something from a Michaels store, craftspeople work hard to made beautiful and useful things, but things that do not necessarily contain social commentary or are meant to inspire and emote. We make mugs and sculptures and purses and jewelry that you might like to have around because they are beautiful and well made and add happiness and value to your daily existence.

Then there are the artists that just so happen to throw out a tiki themed piece along with some of their other art, or maybe tiki art is the majority of their work, doesn't matter. They enjoy the theme, it moves them and inspires them to create an image or a mood. They do their homework so the get the TIKI part right but it is all about their own interpretation of that idea. THOSE are the atists that I'm thrilled to get a chance to see what they are working on, what's coming out of their heads next. Whether they are TIKI or tiki doesn't matter. I want to see what they have to say and want to see the tiki stuff as well as anything else they feel compelled to show me. That to me is the exciting stuff. And it doesn't matter if it's palm wood, paint on canvas, ceramic, fabric, silver or elephant poop. But then I'm proably more of an art groupie first and a tiki freak secondly.

One of the reasons I was so enthralled by this community was because of all the amazing artists AND craftspeople that contribute here. I love to see the inspiration and then the interpretation from a creative mind and a skilled hand. That to me is the nature of this community and the basis of the first "wave" of tiki as well. The interpretation of an idea or feeling whether it is art or craft, or a combination of both.

There's my missive . . . just my opinion (and yes, I know we all have one). Sling your arrows or your elephant poop as you will, I just had to throw my 10 cents worth in there.

Love yas!

Retro Modern Wahine......Kiki von Tiki on etsy

[ Edited by: Kiki von Tiki 2009-06-27 00:10 ]