On this episode we speak with Sven Kirsten. Sven is widely regarded as the man who instigated the modern tiki revival. He wrote The Book of Tiki, which chronicled the mainland American movement of Polynesian Pop, which is a term that he also coined. He followed that with Tiki Modern, a book that showed the juxtaposition between primitive and modern art and followed that up with Tiki Pop which was also accompanied with an exhibition in Paris, France.

We sat down on his patio on a warm spring night overlooking Silverlake with a couple boxes of Cuban cigars and a large dispenser of rum punch made by our friend Boris Hamilton. We talk about how The Book of Tiki came to be and what projects Sven has in store for us in the future.

This episode is sponsored in part by Lost on 111 Grill and Art Lounge in La Quinta, California. Check out their website at www.loston111.com and visit their Facebook page and give them a like!

This episode also sponsored in part by Bamboo Ben, an artist and builder that specializes in tropical decor for the island lifestyle. Find him on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. No project is too big or small. He builds stuff for you!

On this episode we speak with Sven Kirsten. Sven is widely regarded as the man who instigated the modern tiki revival. He wrote The Book of Tiki, which chronicled the mainland American movement of Polynesian Pop, which is a term that he also coined. He followed that with Tiki Modern, a book that showed the juxtaposition between primitive and modern art and followed that up with Tiki Pop which was also accompanied with an exhibition in Paris, France.

We sat down on his patio on a warm spring night overlooking Silverlake with a couple boxes of Cuban cigars and a large dispenser of rum punch made by our friend Boris Hamilton. We talk about how The Book of Tiki came to be and what projects Sven has in store for us in the future.

This episode is sponsored in part by Lost on 111 Grill and Art Lounge in La Quinta, California. Check out their website at www.loston111.com and visit their Facebook page and give them a like!

This episode also sponsored in part by Bamboo Ben, an artist and builder that specializes in tropical decor for the island lifestyle. Find him on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. No project is too big or small. He builds stuff for you!

On this episode of Inside the Desert Oasis Room we speak with Bamboo Ben, tiki artist-builder and grandson of the original beachcomber, Eli Hedley. We talk about the many tiki temples he's built, re-built, designed or renovated and we learn which ones are haunted and which ones are not! We recorded this one live from The Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach, California.

This episode is sponsored in part by Lost on 111 Grill & Art Lounge located in La Quinta, California. Check out their website at www.loston111.com and visit their Facebook page and give them a like!

This episode is also sponsored in part by The Reef, a tropical-themed libation sanctuary located at the Caliente Tropics Resort in Palm Springs, California. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram for information on special events including weekenders such as Tiki Caliente and Mod Palm Springs.

On this episode of Inside the Desert Oasis Room we speak with Bamboo Ben, tiki artist-builder and grandson of the original beachcomber, Eli Hedley. We talk about the many tiki temples he's built, re-built, designed or renovated and we learn which ones are haunted and which ones are not! We recorded this one live from The Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach, California.

This episode is sponsored in part by Lost on 111 Grill & Art Lounge located in La Quinta, California. Check out their website at www.loston111.com and visit their Facebook page and give them a like!

This episode is also sponsored in part by The Reef, a tropical-themed libation sanctuary located at the Caliente Tropics Resort in Palm Springs, California. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram for information on special events including weekenders such as Tiki Caliente and Mod Palm Springs.

On this episode of Inside the Desert Oasis Room I make a field trip to Oceanic Arts in Whittier, California and chat with the founders and living legends Leroy Schmaltz and Bob Van Oosting. They share many never-before-heard stories related to creating, building and influencing the South Seas aesthetic during the Polynesian Pop era and beyond. It was such an honor, pleasure and treat to get a sneak peek and walk-thru of their massive, private collection; soon to be compiled for a book!

On this episode of Inside the Desert Oasis Room I make a field trip to Oceanic Arts in Whittier, California and chat with the founders and living legends Leroy Schmaltz and Bob Van Oosting. They share many never-before-heard stories related to creating, building and influencing the South Seas aesthetic during the Polynesian Pop era and beyond. It was such an honor, pleasure and treat to get a sneak peek and walk-thru of their massive, private collection; soon to be compiled for a book!