Sven Kirsten’s newest book Tiki Pop: America imagines its own Polynesian Paradise
I love t his book — it’s full of lots history — 384 pages — six pounds! — and with new images that make this a terrific complement to Kirsten’s first two books or, if you don’t have them, a wonderful first tikipedia to dive into.
This is the must-have Retro Renovation 2014 Book of Year! If I ever did a book called “Retro Renovation,” I would be using Tiki Pop, and Kirsten’s two earlier Taschen tiki tomes, as role models. Well done, Sven, you are my idol!
Sven Kirsten is just amazing. He chronicles the history of midcentury America’s fascination with tiki from virtually every angle:
Seattle World’s fair, 1962 Americans were consumed by Tiki. Copyright Sven Kirsten/TASCHEN
There is history…
Ren Clark’s Polynesian Village Cocktail menu, 1962. Copyright Sven Kirsten/TASCHEN
There are cocktails…
Tiki table lamp, from the Luau in Beverly Hills, 1950s. Copyright Sven Kirsten/TASCHEN
There is decor (note to Kate: Retro Crafty idea — we can do this with a vintage tiki mug!)…
Connnie Stevens on the set of “Hawaiian Eye”, 1959. Copyright Sven Kirsten/TASCHEN
There are starlets…
Caption: Author Sven Kirsten supervising the photo shoot of his “pufferfish in fishnet float”. Copyright Velveteria: The Museum of Velvet Paintings/TASCHEN
There is Sven Kirsten captured on black velvet painting looking into a puffer fish in fishnet float light — yes, as if it were his own tiki crystal ball.
Pound for pound, this book is a bargain. Moreover, we declare this an instant classic.
Get it now while the gettin’ is good:
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Ha, ha, Pam! I love the cocktail menu; especially the prices. Hope you’re feeling better, rest and get well.
Saving up to purchase this book, which I looked up earlier in the summer as the result of your Tiki Love.
Just checking in to say that I hope you are feeling better, Pam. Do take it easy.
PS — Thank you for reminding me about Connie Stevens. She was huge back in the day and that is a great photo.
I got to hear Sven speak about this book, which he calls the “catalog” of Tiki Pop – the museum exhibit he curated in Paris! The entire Tiki “culture” is a uniquely American phenomenon, and is a curiosity to the French (and others). The slides he showed of the exhibit, with authentic Polynesian artifacts displayed side-by-side with their Tiki takeoffs, were fascinating. The book is well worth every penny we spent on it – $65 – signed by the author! I should send you the photo of my boyfriend and me posing next to him at the signing!
Yes, we did a story on the exhibit in Paris, too — https://retrorenovation.com/2014/06/24/tiki-pop-paris/
Did the poster from the Paris expo make it to you, Kate?
yes – to me, Pam. THANKS, Katherine, I’m gonna blame my bad manners on my broken arm. I’ll get you a proper thank you note once I can write better!