Modern Tiki

With travel plans canceled and many of us spending more time at home, this is a great time for a little escapism. Join us as we explore the Polynesian Pop aesthetic that arose from the fantasy world of Tiki bars.

The first tiki bar arose at the tail end of prohibition and the Great Depression when a former rum-runner opened Donn the Beachcomber with decor, drinks, and food loosely based on the imagery and experiences from his Pacific travels with a decidedly Hollywood bent. The complex drinks and immersive decor based in idealized (and fictionalized) tropical cultures created the experience of a "vacation in a glass" in a time when people were embracing an escape from their daily hardships.

That idea of a fictional escape felt like a great fit for our own current world, so we have asked some of our favorite artists to make pieces inspired by tiki culture but with their own artistic voice and are thrilled with the work that will be featured in this show.

For this show to really be about creating an escape, we are going even further with other tiki related events and activities all month long. Join us as we work with partners like Spirits Wine Provisions as we host online cocktail making demos, distance jewelry making classes featuring tiki-inspired pendants, and online discussions about the history, resurgence, and some of the complex issues surrounding tiki culture. Register on our Eventbrite for updates about June's Tiki events.