"Happy Hour", by Iosefatu Sua, was done as part of the "TiKKKi" show that was featured for a limited time at the BLVD Gallery, in downtown Seattle. Right away, the first thing you notice is the pointed hooded masks that makes it kinda creepy but also leaves you wondering, whats it about?...first of all, these guys wearing the hoods aren't palangi. Their eyes are brown, their skin is brown, their hair is black, they have what seems to be Poly tattoos, and last but not least, the hoods they're wearing are alohaprinted (if thats even a word lol)Seriously though, what's homeboy trying to say here? Isn't it the palangi and the Western world that commodified and exploited what was once a sacred and taboo artifact (Tikis)? Is it not Hollywood's fault that these images are played up? Isn't it the missionaries' fault for devaluing the traditions and religions of old? What could it mean?
There's a million questions here but I think the answer is pretty obvious. This painting, at least the way I thought of it, can be looked at as a way to remind ourselves (ourselves as in Polynesians) that sometimes the commodification and the exploitation of our cultures is also OUR fault. We play up the stereotypes of the "big angry islander" or the "seductive island princess" to serve us when we deem them necessary. But if thats the case, then why can't bars like "Tiki Bob's" or "Joe's Samoan Pub" keep doing what they're doing when we (the ones complaining) seem ok about perpetuating the stereotype?
Of course there's other ways to look at this painting especially since I haven't even mentioned the Jesus heads the guys are holding holding which completely changes the mood and the direction of the piece...anyway, I guess thats my rant for that one...til next time
2 comments:
"We play up the stereotypes..."
True dat!
this is an interesting one. i definitely am feeling a little awkward about the hats that they're wearing.
but...
as polynesians, we have agency to play up the "stereotypes"...not that it's right, or that they're justified, or that they're even in fact true...but i would like to compare it to something else from another race..although i think i'll save that for later. for another culture to come in and impersonate or play the role of US...well that is unappreciated because it tends to be portrayed in an inauthentic way..by the "other"..a way that appeals only to their own, because it is their idea of us...ya???
Post a Comment