Presented by Sven Kirsten

Sven Kirsten will present a plethora of Polynesian pop imagery from Witco’s early days to the catalog photos that he opened his Book of Tiki with. Seven years after the BOT was published, Witco’s wild work inspired Sven to write the definitive history of this way- out wood-whittling workshop with his book Tiki Modern. With previously unseen artist’s sketches, catalog pictures and photos of the dens of crazy Witco collectors, this presentation will be a visual joy ride for the fans as well as the newcomers to this genre.

A love of visuals inspired Sven Kirsten to collect and photograph the remnants of the forgotten culture of Polynesian pop in America, leading him to identify the Tiki as its icon. In 2000, he published his findings in The Book of Tiki, which presented all aspects of Tiki style — its design, graphics, architecture, social culture, culinary and cocktail mixology — and put Tiki firmly on the map of American pop culture. Kirsten followed with Tiki Modern, Tiki Pop, The Art of Tiki and now his most recent book, Palm Springs Tiki.