Would you prefer Tiki as 'mainstream' or 'underground'? - General Tiki

TM Tipsy McStagger Tiki Socialite HELL Joined: Nov 21, 2004 Posts: 3685	TM Tipsy McStagger Posted posted on Tue, May 22, 2012 4:28 AM On 2012-05-21 15:22, woofmutt wrote: "I have just been worried about the commercialization of tiki. But its like Tipsy McStagger pointed out, some will just be in it to make money and thats all." The roots of Tiki were definitely fertilized with money. If there had been no commercial viability in a Tiki themed joint or product very few of them would have ever been created. The watering down of the midcentury ideal of Tiki in order to sell something to the mass market happens with any genre or art form.*** It'll keep happening with Tiki for as long as people still like to fantasize about tropical paradises. But among the core aficionados the ideal is kept alive. *I like western stuff but a solid 90% of western styled whatever is just as bad as Party City Tiki crap. "The roots of Tiki were definitely fertilized with money. If there had been no commercial viability in a Tiki themed joint or product very few of them would have ever been created. " good point. "The watering down of the midcentury ideal of Tiki in order to sell something to the mass market happens with any genre or art form.*** It'll keep happening with Tiki for as long as people still like to fantasize about tropical paradises. But among the core aficionados the ideal is kept alive. " true as it happens with all genres and sub cultural trends. Fortunately, there have always been great artists, craftsman and other innovators that have produced well made items that reflect the true spirit of keeping it alive alongside those that wish to co-opt and simplify it for the sake of mass consumption and making a quick buck. It's the difference (to use your western analogy) between a piece of navajo jewelry bought out west directly from the guy that made it by hand on the reservation and buying a similiar piece that was made in china. Both options exist side by side and are available to anyone but the real craftmanship and spirit of the handmade piece will always shine through, much the same way that the spirit of tiki continues on through artists and folks like ourselves that appreciate it's value and sigmifigance.

On 2012-05-21 15:22, woofmutt wrote:
"I have just been worried about the commercialization of tiki. But its like Tipsy McStagger pointed out, some will just be in it to make money and thats all."

The roots of Tiki were definitely fertilized with money. If there had been no commercial viability in a Tiki themed joint or product very few of them would have ever been created.

The watering down of the midcentury ideal of Tiki in order to sell something to the mass market happens with any genre or art form.***** It'll keep happening with Tiki for as long as people still like to fantasize about tropical paradises. But among the core aficionados the ideal is kept alive.

*****I like western stuff but a solid 90% of western styled whatever is just as bad as Party City Tiki crap.

"The roots of Tiki were definitely fertilized with money. If there had been no commercial viability in a Tiki themed joint or product very few of them would have ever been created. "

good point.

"The watering down of the midcentury ideal of Tiki in order to sell something to the mass market happens with any genre or art form.***** It'll keep happening with Tiki for as long as people still like to fantasize about tropical paradises. But among the core aficionados the ideal is kept alive. "

true as it happens with all genres and sub cultural trends. Fortunately, there have always been great artists, craftsman and other innovators that have produced well made items that reflect the true spirit of keeping it alive alongside those that wish to co-opt and simplify it for the sake of mass consumption and making a quick buck.

It's the difference (to use your western analogy) between a piece of navajo jewelry bought out west directly from the guy that made it by hand on the reservation and buying a similiar piece that was made in china. Both options exist side by side and are available to anyone but the real craftmanship and spirit of the handmade piece will always shine through, much the same way that the spirit of tiki continues on through artists and folks like ourselves that appreciate it's value and sigmifigance.

Post #637380 by Tipsy McStagger on Tue, May 22, 2012 4:28 AM