Oceanic Arts: The Godfathers of TIKI

by Jordan Reichek

Join us as we discover the intimate behind the scenes story of how this movement started, who were the important players and their total experience during the infancy, golden age, decline and stunning re-birth of one of the most treasured style movements the pop culture world has ever known. Through in-depth interviews, unlocked archives and both vintage and newly shot photography you’ll enjoy unprecedented access with OCEANIC ARTS: The Godfathers of Tiki.

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Kevidently · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took a while, but this is one of the best books on the tiki pop subculture I’ve ever come across.

[Dara Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An epic look at the unmatchable contributions of Oceanic Arts, primarily the two-man team of Leroy Schmalz and Bob Van Oosting, to 20th century theme restaurants, hotels, parks, and destinations. Had to read this one in sessions or sections since although the text is mostly confined to right-hand columns and a few in-frame captions, there is such an overwhelming wealth of detail in all the photos of installations, reproductions of ephemera, etc. that it gets to be a sensory overload after a while. I'd give it 5 stars if it had better proofing - the many errors in using homophonic words in place of the correct is a constant irritant.
Definitely read this if you want a better sense of the astonishing amount of work OA produced and installed in many, many places all around America and even the world. Their contributions to such iconic places as Disneyland and Walt Disney World among others, and the instant recognizability of their design aesthetic to anything mid-century, will make you realize just how much of it you've seen before for yourself...and just never realized. Truly giants of 20th-century art and design.
Aloha, OA!