Palm Springs Tiki: Polynesia in the Desert
By Sven Kirsten and Peter Moruzzi
Kaysville, UT: Gibbs Smith, 2024, 2024
Hardcover, 200 pages, $30
Reviewed by Andy Panda Montero
The midcentury modern era and Tiki Polynesian pop culture flourished in the U.S. for several decades following World War II. Who would have considered combining them in Palm Springs, the desert oasis of California? That’s precisely what occurred, and authors Sven Kirsten and Peter Moruzzi bring this unexpected pairing to life in their stunning book, Palm Springs Tiki: Polynesia in the Desert.
Kirsten, a filmmaker and self-proclaimed urban archeologist based in Los Angeles, literally wrote The Book of Tiki and is considered the godfather of the 21st-century Tiki revival. Moruzzi, a historian who lives in Palm Springs, has written multiple books about the midcentury modern era and was the founding member of the Palm Springs Modern Committee. Together, the authors lovingly tell the story of the blending of modernism and primitivism that occurred in Palm Springs, the mecca of midcentury modern culture in the American desert.
The community of Palm Springs has long been a sanctuary for escapism, originating as a back-to-nature destination in the 1920s. Founded by German immigrant William Pester in Tahquitz Canyon, this school for naturalism drew many like-minded individuals seeking a retreat from everyday life. One of the most notable figures to arrive in Palm Springs was musician Eden Ahbez, whose song “Nature Boy” gained popularity in the 1950s. Ahbez’s Nature Boy Trio performed at cafes in Palm Springs and beatnik clubs in Los Angeles, serving as a precursor to the hippie movement of the 1960s.
In 1945, returning American servicemen who had visited much of the globe during World War II brought back many of the sights they encountered overseas. Places like Palm Springs underwent a transformation in both architecture and culture. What started as a simple escape evolved into a melting pot of exotic foreign cultures. The captivating images in this book chronicle this outcropping of African, Asian, European, and Far Eastern influences in the desert.
The rise of Polynesian pop culture in America during this period was particularly significant. It stemmed from similar inspirations, primarily U.S. servicemen returning from the South Pacific. These GIs sought to recreate the beauty of the lush Polynesian islands they experienced, hosting backyard luaus and fashioning basement Shangri-Las across the country. This trend ultimately led to the proliferation of Polynesian supper clubs like Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic’s.
The Tiki phenomena didn’t spare Palm Springs. What is truly amazing is the idea of creating a tropical escape in the desert. In hindsight, this is a natural concept, as the best place to escape would be somewhere opposite to what you’re escaping from. Nightspots like The Pago Pago, the South Pacific Room in the El Mirador Hotel, and the Palm Springs Luau drew visitors, including Hollywood stars from Los Angeles and beyond.
Most importantly, Kirsten and Moruzzi assure us that Palm Springs Tiki is alive and well today. Places like the Tonga Hut and artists like Otto Von Stroheim and Josh Agle (aka SHAG) help keep modernism and Tiki alive in the California desert. In the authors’ words, SHAG “has become the court painter of Palm Springs modernism and the Tiki revival.” Thanks to this beautiful book, I can also appreciate the midcentury modern and Polynesian Pop pioneers that came before us. Mahalo, Peter and Sven, for showing us this fascinating history!
Andy Panda Montero is a Tiki enthusiast from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. His basement hideaway, A. Panda’s Tiki Lounge, is an homage to his high school nickname and his love of Tiki art, decor, libations, mugs, and music. SHAG inspired his Tiki journey, and his art adorns the South Pacific retreat. Pandas and Tiki both thrive on lots of bamboo and coexist beautifully here.
This book review originally appeared in the SCA Journal, Spring 2024, Vol. 42, No. 1. The SCA Journal is a semi-annual publication and a member benefit of the Society for Commercial Archeology.
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