With obvious roots in Polynesian culture and art, Tiki Culture - as we know it today - started around the time of the Second World War. Troops coming home from from the South Pacific during and post WWII were looking to forget the battles, yet remember the beauty of the land and people they left behind. Films, music, and art influenced and inspired by Pacific Islander cultures became all the rage. And thus, the Tiki bar (and drink!) was born!
Don the Beachcombers (est. 1934 in Hollywood, CA) is credited as being the first Tiki bar in the US, and from there the style of bar - and the lifestyle it represented - spread across the country. After peaking in the 1950s, Tiki Culture became more of a sub-culture in the decades to follow. In the past several years, however, it has made a considerable comeback.
Which brings us to Mondo Tee-Kis! Our vision for these ceramic mugs is simple. What if a Polynesian artist saw various pop culture characters for the first time, and decided to carve them as Tikis? Well, we imagine the results might look something like this:
The Gremlins Mondo Tee-Kis, designed by Michael Bonanno and sculpted by Ramirez Studios, will have four different glazeways available. There is a Brown version available exclusively at Alamo Drafthouse theaters; a Green mug, which is our general release version; and the Candy Cane and Microwave Melt versions, which are very limited and only available on our site.
The Green, Candy Cane and Microwave Melt versions will be available online tomorrow at 12PM CST.
Gremlins Ceramic Tiki Mug (Green)
Approx. 6.25" in height, Material: Ceramic
Artists: Michael Bonanno, Ramirez Studios
Expected to Ship 1st Quarter 2017
$25
Gremlins Ceramic Tiki Mug (Candy Cane)
Approx. 6.25" in height, Material: Ceramic
Artists: Michael Bonanno, Ramirez Studios
Expected to Ship 1st Quarter 2017
Edition of 250
$35
Gremlins Ceramic Tiki Mug (Microwave Melt)
Approx. 6.25" in height, Material: Ceramic
Artists: Michael Bonanno, Ramirez Studios
Expected to Ship 1st Quarter 2017
Edition of 100
$45
After Gremlins, we have a lot of other awesome designs in the works, and will be working with artists like Joe Allard, as well as the great people at Tiki Farm. Here's an early look at two we've got in the pipe. Enjoy, and see you beachside! A hui hou kākou!
