Tiki Hangover

Unearthing The Idols Of America's South Seas Fantasy

In the mid-20th century, living the Tiki lifestyle meant decorating your living room with bamboo furniture and learning the steps to native dances, while cultivating a taste for exotic foods and sweet rum cocktails. At its heart, American Tiki worship reflected a longing for life outside the stressful confines of urban America and a desire to connect with the majesty of nature.
Today, the Tiki trend is viewed as pure mid-century kitsch, like the maraschino cherry on your happy-hour Mai Tai. But Americans haven't lost their lust for the tropical lifestyle, as evidenced by Hawaii's multibillion-dollar tourism industry. Collectors Weekly spoke with Sven Kirsten, the author of 'Tiki Pop,' about the origins of the Tiki trend and its lasting impact on American culture.