by splatt on Aug.30, 2009, under Arts
Hut Tiki Really A Moai?
You know that giant Tiki on Fourth Ave.?
The one in front of The Hut almost everyone including local media seems to be calling a Tiki?
Well folks, it ain’t no Tiki.
At least that’s my take (and that of a few others as well).
According to Wikipedia: “Tiki refers to large wood and stone carvings of humanoid forms in Central Eastern Polynesian cultures of the Pacific Ocean. The term is also used as it relates to Māori mythology where Tiki is the first man.”
So okay that works I suppose.
But a bust of George W. Bush could be a Tiki as well.
To my eye it’s a Moai, created by the Rapanui people as a way of honoring their ancestors and found on Easter Island.
Imagine a statue of Shiva and everyone calling it Jesus because they are both sacred depictions.
Weird right?
Now I’m no anthropologist, but if we’re going to use depictions of sacred symbols from distant lands to sell booze (or miniature golf), I’d think getting the cultural context right would be the least we could do.
And regardless of whether it is called a Tiki or Moai, a huge thumbs-up to the folks at The Hut for saving this wonderful bit of local folk art from the wrecking ball and giving it a new life downtown.
Too bad someone couldn’t have saved the historic Santa Rita Hotel as well…
Thoughts?
Moai set in the hillside at Rano Raraku.
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August 30th, 2009 on 7:57 pm[...] Well folks, it ain’t no Tiki. At least that’s my take ( and that of a few others as well ). According to Wikipedia : “Tiki refers to large wood and stone carvings of humanoid forms in Central Eastern Polynesian cultures of the Pacific Ocean Chocolate Easter Egg [...]
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August 30th, 2009 on 3:50 pm
Yup, you’re right, it’s not really a tiki but a replica of a moai from Rapa Nui (Easter Island), which is what I said to my husband walking by that structure last night. I was born and raised on Hawaii Island, and can attest that real tikis are located at Pu’uhonua O Honaunau (City of Refuge) in south Kona, Hawaii. Google that national park for great wooden tiki photos.
(I got my bachelor’s degree in Antropology at UH Manoa, and did archaeology in Hawaii for many years.) I’ve also seen beautiful wooden maori tikis in Aotearoa (New Zealand).
August 30th, 2009 on 6:59 pm
Thanks Carolyn for the professional insight.
I’d love to know if the artist based on a particular moai, and if so what the history might be.
Could be cool to know…
August 30th, 2009 on 5:57 pm
Wait, it came from that closed down mini-golf course?
August 30th, 2009 on 7:04 pm
That’s right. The moai is one of the creations that was part of the Magic Carpet diaspora.
The same one that vandals had poured red paint from the eyes and painted 666 on the forehead a few months back.
Gotta wonder what the future still holds for it.
August 30th, 2009 on 8:37 pm
niiiiice
August 30th, 2009 on 8:47 pm
I believe this Moai was designed and built by Michael Kautza, who also did The Tack Room boot on Sabino Canyon and the Wine Bottle in front of Boondocks Lounge at 3306 N First Ave. Not sure where he is now, but he was quite the artist in the 70’s in Tucson.
August 31st, 2009 on 6:31 am
Thanks Kandie.
Would be great to get an update if anyone has one.
I heard he also did the giant steer skull off the west side of 19 (Longhorn Grill?).
August 31st, 2009 on 1:34 am
Are this statuies in UNESCO found.
August 31st, 2009 on 2:28 am
The WHOLE story.
Tiki refers to large wood and stone carvings of humanoid forms in Central Eastern Polynesian cultures of the Pacific Ocean. The term is also used as it relates to Māori mythology where Tiki is the first man.
In Polynesian mythology (specifically: Maori), Tiki is the first man, created by either Tu Matauenga or Tane. He found the first woman, Marikoriko, in a pond. She seduced him and he became the father of Hine-Kau-Ataata. Also in Polynesian mythology, a tiki or hei tiki is a kind of sculpture which results in a carving in the shape of a god. Each tiki houses a spirit. The creation of tikis is known from all over Polynesia.
According to Easter Island (Rapa Nui) legend, Hotu Matu’a, the first chief brought along a moai symbolizing ancestors, which became the model for the large moai. Dr. Jo Anne Van Tilburg of the Easter Island Statue Project at UCLA, opines that the first tiki, or stone statues, originated on Rapa Nui, although some contend that the first statues originated in the Marquesas or Austral Islands in present day Tahiti (French Polynesia).
August 31st, 2009 on 8:46 am
It does make sense
September 9th, 2009 on 12:29 am
Whether it is tikki or not, i am really amazed with those carvings made with wood and stones!
September 9th, 2009 on 6:32 am
Your’re right sweet. The moai is amazing.
I’m glad they saved it. Was it $80 k?
In that light, now imagine the efforts of the people who created the real moai.
People carving them, hauling them, and placing them all without the benefit of so-called modern machines or tools.
Talk about amazing…
October 18th, 2009 on 8:46 pm
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