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The Jungle-style Thread - Pop Culture Iconography of the Dark Continent |
aquarj
Grand Member (8 years) 
Joined: Apr 02, 2002
Posts: 1040
From: SF bay area, CA
|  Posted: 2010-01-27 4:53 pm Permalink
I think we tried to take a look at the Congo Room sometime around 2002. I think we found the little sign over a door in the hallway leading up to it, but not much else, and didn't get inside. Probably not so exciting a sight nowadays anyway, but it would be nice to see what it was like in the days of that menu.
-Randy
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Zeta
Grand Member (2 years) 
Joined: Feb 13, 2007
Posts: 2030
From: Atlantis/Basque Country/Spain/Mexico
| Posted: 2010-01-28 07:48 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2010-01-06 08:36, JOHN-O wrote:
Quote:
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On 2010-01-05 12:58, Mister Naufrago wrote:
Here´s one for Zeta. Old Spanish design and Miguel Covarrubias drawing
Amazing psychic connection between two artist from two countries?
 
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Mister Naufrago,
Another interesting contribution to this thread. Thank you !!
What exactly is that thing on the left supposed to be?
Also where do the Spanish items (Tikis, mugs, etc) that you post originate from? Are they made in Europe?
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Hey Mr. Naufrago, do you own one of these?
Here is mine:
Spanish vintage "exotic African" mug
How do you call this "thing"? The real one from Africa. I knew, I just can't find the piece of paper where I wrote it into.
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  ¡Viva Tiki! Ambassador of Tiki in Mexico. Zeta is specialized in the research, study and preservation of Tiki culture in Latin countries.
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Zeta
Grand Member (2 years)
Joined: Feb 13, 2007
Posts: 2030
From: Atlantis/Basque Country/Spain/Mexico
| Posted: 2010-01-28 07:58 am Permalink
Note that the face on my mug on the picture above is not black.
Quote:
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On 2010-01-06 10:58, Mister Naufrago wrote:
Gracias JOHN-O
"The thing" is a mug. 
I previously posted a image of that mug (minus lid) on this thread.
That picture was taken in its natural environment, the jungle/tiki themed bar in Andalucia. Unfortunately the place is now closed.
It was used for a cocktail named something like "Mother-in-law Killer"
"A dreamy labyrinth of rum, juices and subtle spices from tropical paradises"
You are right. All these artifacts made in Spain and are from my collection.
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_________________
¡Viva Tiki! Ambassador of Tiki in Mexico. Zeta is specialized in the research, study and preservation of Tiki culture in Latin countries.
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Zeta
Grand Member (2 years)
Joined: Feb 13, 2007
Posts: 2030
From: Atlantis/Basque Country/Spain/Mexico
| Posted: 2010-01-28 08:05 am Permalink
In a Polinesian bar in La Mancha, the name of which I have no desire to call to mind...
One small detail, the mug is HUGE.
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¡Viva Tiki! Ambassador of Tiki in Mexico. Zeta is specialized in the research, study and preservation of Tiki culture in Latin countries.
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Mister Naufrago
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 20, 2008
Posts: 212
From: Spain
| Posted: 2010-02-01 06:04 am Permalink
[/quote]
Hey Mr. Naufrago, do you own one of these?
Here is mine:
Spanish vintage "exotic African" mug
How do you call this "thing"? The real one from Africa. I knew, I just can't find the piece of paper where I wrote it into.
[/quote]
No, but judging the sheer quantity of the mug´s images on this thread it seems to be a fairly common one. So probably I´ll just go out and buy a couple of them.
I found this "ORIGINAL Vintage WAIKIKIAN Hotel TIKI Mask" that is now for sale on Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-Vintage-WAIKIKIAN-Hotel-TIKI-Mask-WOOD-PANEL-3_W0QQitemZ160376576538QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2557305a1a
Seller´s link
http://gregg-n.tripod.com/waikikiantour3.html
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bigbrotiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 10563
From: Tiki Island, above the Silverlake
| Posted: 2010-02-01 2:14 pm Permalink
Good catch, Mr. N. I have one of these (from when I found them with above seller at a store in Hilo) and I did not see that connection. Note that they had it set upside down in their screen doors at the Waikikian.
TA- DAAAH ! So finally, here it is, Big Bro post Nr 7000 ! I decided to make it the long-promised WITCO AFRICANA post, since Witco is one of my specialties, and this is a juicy one, lotsa work:
I briefly touched on Witco's African influence in my "History and Meaning of the Leopard Print" chapter in Tiki Modern, but there is much more. While Witco obviously aimed to avoid to become too culturally specific with their statues and wall masks and more often than not gave them generic names like "Gnomie" and "Primitic"....
...there were a few exceptions, like the "African God" and "Pygmy Ruth" above, and the "Mbulu Ugulu" mask below...
...a version of which to this day graces the main A-frame at the Tiki Resort in Lake George:
(I sure hope I will get to photograph this mask this year!)
An African mask on a TIKI Motel- the ultimate proof of African pop primitivism playing a part in the cultural chaos of Tiki Modern. 
But while cultural definition was kept unclear in the wall hangings and statuary, Witco went wild in the home bar sector:
Early examples such as the NAIROBI GROUP...
...were introduced with "The atmosphere of Africa dominates the room..."
All this was motivated by "The Voyager Collection" concept, which was fitting for all kinds of exotic ports of call
(also see p.238 of TIKI MODERN):
...of which perhaps the "African Bar Group" (which is gracing the opening pages of the Book of Tiki) is a prime example of multi culti mixing:
Despite its name, the center piece of that "African" bar is a Papua New Guinea mask, actually the very mask that Trader Vic's created their logo from, based on a rendering by Covarrrubias:
The trend continued with the clunky "Safari Bar"...
...and went on into the golden age of the Witco bar, the 70s, with such fine pieces as the "Kenya Bar":
The 70s also saw the "African Tiger Skin shield" with spears and hassock...
...and one of my personal faves, the "Witch doctor Magazine rack". Which brings to mind another modern primitive classic, the Witchdoctor lamp:
Last not least the much-coveted "African Shield Lamp":
...here flanked by "Polynesian Male" and female.
Some designs, like this dynamic Ron Hovde rendering, never made it past the drawing board:
Which brings me to this piece, a real Rosebud of modernist Africana:
I found this obscure wall hanging on its stained fabric at an antique mall in Palm Springs. With its lack of characteristic wood grain, I would have never pegged this for a Witco. But at that time I already had the advantage of my research, and dimly remembered the shape of this carving, so I bought it.
I am glad I did: Despite its aesthetic value being in question, what we have here is perhaps the EARLIEST Witco carving still in existence, a "P-2" from Witco International's very first catalog sheet ! :
So, now that I have got you with your mouth hanging open in astonishment at such a rare artifact, I will hoist a glass to the next 7000 posts...
...and all the undiscovered marvels yet to come!
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Beachbumz
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Jan 09, 2008
Posts: 991
From: 21°/156° MAUI
| Posted: 2010-02-01 2:21 pm Permalink
And what a great 7000'th post it is... Love the pictures..
SALUD to you!!!
BB
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Beach Bumz Maui
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TikiG
Grand Member (2 years)
Joined: Jun 17, 2008
Posts: 1519
From: Palmdale, California
| Posted: 2010-02-01 2:35 pm Permalink
Cheers! To Sven and his 7000 posts...
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Joe Banks
Grand Member (4 years) 
Joined: Aug 02, 2007
Posts: 519
From: Hollywoodland
| Posted: 2010-02-01 2:53 pm Permalink
Well done, bigbro!
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Big Kahuna
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 11, 2007
Posts: 1908
From: SoMass
| Posted: 2010-02-01 3:10 pm Permalink
I tip my cap to you, oh Exhaulted Pubah 'O Tiki. I gotta find one of those witch-doctor magazine racks!
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lucas vigor
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2004
Posts: 3453
From: "I've chopped my way through real jungle
| Posted: 2010-02-01 4:19 pm Permalink
No kidding! These are some of the best photos EVER, Sven!
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Dustycajun
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 3931
From: Santa Barbara, CA
| Posted: 2010-02-01 4:30 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2010-02-01 14:14, bigbrotiki wrote:
Which brings me to this piece, a real Rosebud of modernist Africana:
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Rosebud?
What's an old sled
got to do with Witco style african art?
Congrats on number 7,000 it's a peach.
DC
[ This Message was edited by: dustycajun 2010-02-01 21:37 ]
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VampiressRN
Grand Member (5 years) 
Joined: Nov 23, 2006
Posts: 5086
From: Sin City Lincoln Hills (NorCal)
| Posted: 2010-02-01 5:01 pm Permalink
Congrats Sven...truly a quality post. I am slightly more appreciative of Witco in the animal print, thanks for those pics. I'm sure after your 14000th post I could even spring for the African Shield Lamp (I'll start saving now). Keep those cards and letters coming!!!
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Ojaitimo
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 04, 2006
Posts: 1283 | Posted: 2010-02-01 5:55 pm Permalink
Congrats Sven!
These stone carvings from Africa are in the City Club in Los Angeles.
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2462
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2010-02-01 5:58 pm Permalink
Nice !! But I like the fake stuff better.
Ungawa Bwana !!
[ This Message was edited by: JOHN-O 2010-02-01 18:00 ]
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