Tiki Escapism

[€uroMeinke]

Last night at the Tiki Luau, there was a documentary work in progress about contemporary Tiki Culture. One of the things that struck a responsive chord with me, was that the original Tiki culture of the 1950's wasn't really called Tiki at all, but rather Exotica if anything. That there was no real culture being explored but rather this idealized island paradise. That in the conservative era of Leave it to Beaver - Tiki offered an escape and an excuse to be silly, as you were just emulating an "other" culture and thus could safely act out your island fantasies.

Of course I have to link this to Disney. It's very creation an exercise of the same escapism, celebrating "exotica" in adventureland as well as the optimism of Tomorrowland - all in a family safe place. It's ineresting to see such a resurgence in this retro-contemporary culture exemplified by Shag, Disneyland, and this very site. Why do you suppose that is? Is it still a safe way to play? is it a longing for that cold-war innocence of the 50's and 60's?

For me, there's certainly an element of nostalgia, but what else do you suppose is at work here? Why Tiki?

[blueerica]

I've wondered about the name choice, myself. Tiki.

So many good questions, and so few answers from me. I'm inspired to google it all, and learn.

[Prudence]

If I had to guess...

In the early cold war, the future was scary and Tiki was a safe, warm place apart from civilization. It had the exotic appeal of "primitive" culture untouched by the trappings of the scientific age (which was increasingly scary.) In "Tiki-land," there's a culture of hospitality. The sun shines, the fruity drinks flow freely, and obligations disappear. In Tiki-land, people do not blow things up.

Now, we've been to the future and, for some people, it wasn't an improvement. They'd give anything to go back to a time when they didn't yet have a clear picture of what they feared. Now nuclear weaponry is old hat. We've given up the illusion of bomb shelter drills. That guy next to you on the subway could detonate a dirty bomb at any moment. Today we just have to face up to fear and danger and go on with our lives. Sometimes it's better when you don't actually get a look at the monster under the bed.

So why Tiki? Why not reach back to the last time things seemed fun and safe? It's recent enough that people either remember it (particularly through the nostaligic lens of childhood) or grew up hearing about from relatives and seeing the dusty torches in the attic. In Tiki there are no worries. In Tiki you visit another world where the good in human nature is magnified and the negative is banished. In Tiki, all you need is the sun overhead, the sand at your feet, the sound of surf in your ears, the scent of flowers around your neck, and a fruity umbrella drink in hand and you have reached nirvana.

[€uroMeinke]

Hmmm - I think you're on to something Prudence, you know I suppose we could draw some parallels from the Cold War Fears to the Fears of Terrorists.

[wendybeth]

Oh, I think there are definite parallels between the two, €uro. I don't remember too much about Tikiism growing up, but I do recall my mom and her friends having faux luau's (sp?) and always drinking exotic cocktails with those little umbrellas in them. One time in the late seventies, my mom must have been feeling nostalgic, because she went on this mission to find the Don Ho 'Tiny Bubbles' album. Unfortunately for us kids, she eventually found one and played the damn thing to death.

[Ghoulish Delight]

It could be as simple as the resurgence of the puritanical ferver of the 50s. Despite the seeming access to all things taboo we now have, there's no denying that there's a strong push in this country to revive those puritan morals. And since that, as hypothisized by the doc, is what lead to the first go around of Exotica to begin with, then it's none too surprising that it's caused a resurgence.

[Betty]

I love the style and look of those retro images (see my avatar)... Not sure why I like them - but all the illustrations from that era - even print ads - just love them.