Research Catalog
The book of Tiki : the cult of Polynesian pop in fifties America / by Sven A. Kirsten.
- Title
- The book of Tiki : the cult of Polynesian pop in fifties America / by Sven A. Kirsten.
- Author
- Kirsten, Sven A.
- Publication
- Köln ; New York : Taschen, c2000.
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1 Item
| Status | Format | Access | Call Number | Item Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Not available - Please for assistance. | Text | Use in library | NK808 .K57 2000 | Off-site |
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Details
- Description
- 287 p. : ill. (some col.); 26 cm.
- Summary
- After World War II, US soldiers stationed in the South Pacific returned home with tales of trees loaded with exotic fruits, sleepy lagoons, white-sand beaches, and gorgeous people wearing grass and feathers as they danced half-naked during all-night orgies of food and music. The American imagination seized on this exotic version of island culture, and it exerted a massive influence on Fashion, pop music, eating and drinking, and even architecture. Everything from bars to bowling alleys adopted elements of Polynesian design. Tikis, the carved wooden and stone statues from across the Pacific, found their way into every hotel lounge and suburban living room. But as the fad was reaching it's peak, the big generation gap of the late 60s put a sudden end to Polynesian escapism as the children of the Tiki revellers decided to seek their own Nirvana in sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll. The 90s have seen a revitalised interest in this kitsch anomaly of post-war America -- lounge bars and the sound of "exotica" are back in. This enlightening and hilarious guide casts the reader as an "urban archaeologist" exploring the lost remnants of Tiki culture across the States -- discovering relics from this forgotten civilisation in thrift stores, yard sales, and used book and record emporia. A combination of nostalgia and fascinating pop cultural study, this volume is a long overdue investigation into the cult of the Tiki.
- Alternative Title
- Cult of Polynesian pop in fifties America
- Subject
- Language (note)
- Includes German and French translations.
- Processing Action (note)
- committed to retain
- Contents
- A guide for the urban archeologist -- In the beginning -- Tiki: who was he? -- Primitive art in civilized places -- Pre-Tiki and the birth of Polynesian pop -- Tiki: recreational lifestyle of a generation -- Erecting a Tiki temple -- Don the Beachcomber: founding father of Polynesian pop -- Trader Vic: the ambassador of good taste -- Stephen Crane: the man who loved women -- Danny Balsz: the prodigal son -- Kon-Tiki, Aku-Aku and Thor -- James Michener and Bali Hai -- Other celebrated Tiki temples -- Menus: l'art Tiki -- Mixologists & concoctions / Jeff Berry -- Hunters & collectors -- And the gods were amused -- Hotel, motel -- Unequaled in bachelor living -- Backyard Polynesia -- Surfin' Tiki -- The artists -- German translation -- French translation.
- ISBN
- 382286417X
- LCCN
- ^^2001269233
- Owning Institutions
- Harvard Library