I've been doing some interesting stuff at Trader Joe's. The current theme of our store is "Retro Tiki" (see here for some examples of this style, which was popular in the 1950s and 60s.). Once upon a time this pseudo-Polynesian style could be found in cities and towns all over America. Now it has almost disappeared, except for some remaining samples in California and other Western states. Trader Joe's began in the 1960s when this tiki style was still prevalent so there is a sort of "authenticity" about decorating a TJ's in the style. I grew up in Massachusetts, where there was very little of this style, except for the amazing Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus, a lowbrow entertainment place where no self-respecting intellectual would ever set foot.

I was tasked to create a three-dimensional architectural display for the top of a refrigerated box featuring foods you can just pick up and eat for lunch or quick dinner, such as sandwiches, sushi, salads, prepared meals and other goodies. The manager, who is from California, asked for a tiki house restaurant. I had to refer to books such as the excellent Tiki Modern as well as websites like the one I referenced above. I chose a famous tiki structure from the pages of the book and created a painted architectural model out of foamboard glued and taped together, complete with 60s typefaces and stage set palm trees. I have never actually built an architectural model before but I have lots of training in architectural drawing. I also drew on my observations of a miniature city built by a friend of mine who is a stage designer.

I finished "Trader Joe's Tiki Village" on Sunday evening so here it is for you to visit and enjoy. To actually enter the Tiki Hut, though, you must be about six inches tall.

Posted at 2:29 am | link