TIKI WEEK

Greetings, Spy Vibers! Time has been rushing by in the Spy Vibe lair. I was down for a spell with illness, but energy is starting to return. The silver lining was that I got inspired by some modern architecture docs I watched and began to fine-tune my pad. The collection and archives slimmed down a bit, artwork moved around, and I ended up spotlighting modernist (and often playful) accents in an otherwise minimal and glass environment with Alexander Calder, Neutra and Mid-Century references, jazz, and lounge/exotica. This aesthetic journey also inspired some armchair traveling back to the world of Tiki culture. By coincidence, the annual Tiki Oasis kicks off today! If readers can get to the San Diego area, grab tix to your next Tiki adventure (but play it safe)! They're hosting lots of music, seminars, parties, and an art show this year that all look really cool. More info at Tiki Oasis. I did an interview with artist Tiki Bosko 10 years ago about his work and now Spy Vibers can see a new documentary about him. More info at Tiki Bosko. You can also learn more about the history of the Tiki phenomenon with this great BBC doc from the 90s, The Air Conditioned Eden. Great Tiki links by author Sven Kirsten. Grab Sven's beautiful Taschen book, Tiki Pop. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Mid-Century Village, Spy Vibe radio: Nicola Conte, Men's Adventure Quarterly, Billy May Frenesi, Gary Numan, Spy Vader Spy, Chris Barber Legacy, Phantom Retrospective, Astro-Man, Check in with Japanese book designs, Spy Vibe Radio: Batman, James Bond Lexicon, Ray Cathode, Spy Vibe Radio: Johnny Staccato, Matt Helm Blu, Cold War Auction, Avengers Francavilla Prints, Avengers 60th Event, Irma Vep Blu, Avengers Keel Design, Ronnie Scott's Doc, The Avengers 60th Design, New Year, Art of Pan Books, John Le Carre R.I.P., Sean Connery R.I.P., New 007 Vinyl, Burke's Law Ska, Dieter Rams Complete, 2-Tone Doc, Spy Vibe Radio: Vendetta Part 2, Diana Rigg R.I.P., Moog Micky Dolenz, Beetle Bailey 70th, RSD Spies Vinyl, Ian Fleming Tribute, Fellini Box Set, Spy Vibe Radio: Vendetta, The Saint Podcast Bonus, The Saint Podcast, Barber Lotus, Diana Rigg at 82, Trad Roots, Morricone R.I.P., Fleetway Spy Designs, John Steel Casebooks, Paul at 78, ITC Podcast: The Persuaders, Dazzle Ships, Spy Vibe Radio: Raumpatrouille, Remembering Richard Sala, Crime & Spy Jazz books, Soviet Space Graphics, Numan is FAB, Bruce Lee Blu, John Barry Event, RSD Vinyl Spies, James Bond's DB5, UFO CD Set, Spy Vibe radio: Phantom Agents, Steranko is Revolutionary!, Interview: The Saint I Ain't, Diabolik Interview, New 007 Song, Diabolik Figures, Diabolik Sounds, Diabolik Set Design, Diabolik Park Ride, Danger Diabolik Blu, Count Arthur Strong, Honey West Title Cards, Bowie Day, New Year Cosmonauts, Neil Innes R.I.P., Claudine Auger R.I.P., OHMSS at 50, Italian Job 50th OST, Charles Schulz Modern, Paul Desmond, Python 50th, Randall Hopkirk 50th, Thunderbirds Day, Lazenby Returns to MI6, Dr. John R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio: Lupin III, Lupin Ska, Spy Vibe Prime, Zigomar Translation, The Village: Part 1, Monkey Punch R.I.P., Bubble Girl 63, ITC Soundtracks, Spy Vibe Radio: Public Eye, UFO Prime, Spaceship to Mars, Modesty Blaise Companion, Spy Vibe Radio: Fantomas, George Day, Fantomas Blu, Dark Shadows Doc, Bedazzled Blu-ray, Mary Quant Exhibit, Laika Calypso, Lost in Space Japan, Spy Dust Calypso, Atomic Cafe, John Barry Mono, Interview: John Barry Book, Land of the Giants Score, Skyfall Concert, Dearest Emma, Spy Vibe Radio: Upperseven, Ogilvy at Elstree, Mabuse Propaganda, Bond Beatles Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Liquidator, Diabolik LP, Fab Dresses, Eurospy Music Collection, Beetle Bailey in West Berlin, Why Mort Walker?, Spy Vibe radio: The Beatles Help!, Avengers Critical Guide, The Spotnicks, Benny Spies, James Pond 0017', Satire Stones, Annette Andre Book, Cat Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Get Smart, Caine: My Generation, Interview: Ian Ogilvy, Horror of Party Beach, Sylvie Vartan Renown, Ringo At 78, Dark Shadows Strips, Spy Vibe Radio: Flint, Archie Batman 66, Paul at 76, Beatles Pac-Man, Spy Vibe Radio: Jerry Cotton, The Invaders, 007 Horowitz Book Tour, McGoohan/Prisoner Event at Elstree, The Prisoner Interviews Vol 1, British Underground Press, Interview: Fab4 Mania, Bond Cocktail Book, Bond at Bletchley, Spy Smasher, Spy Vibe Radio: Peter Gunn, Agent Zero M, New Prisoner Comic, Dr. No Villains Edition, Spy Vibe Radio: Danger Diabolik, Dr. No 60th, Oy-Oy-Seven, Spy Vibe Radio (UFO), Cold War Comic Strips, Thunderball Event, Mission to India, Mort Walker Celebration, Peter Wyngarde Celebration, Batman 66 Exhibit, Prisoner Fifty Event, Ian Fleming Publications 2017-2018, Interview: Ed Hulse Pulp, Avengers Audio Drama, Interview: Callan At 50, Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private Eyes, TWA Returns, Spy Vibe Radio 8, Interview: Ryan Heshka, Mid-Century Modern Schulz, Agent Werewolf, Johnny Sokko 50th, Interview: Trina Robbins, Eddie Izzard, The Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50th, Hugh Hefner R.I.P., Jack Good R.I.P., Interview: Shaken Not Stirred, Callan 50th, Spy Vibe Radio 7, The Prisoner 50th Event, Spy-Fi Event, Kaho Aso 007, Two Million, Bo Diddley, Carnaby Pop, Le Carre Events, Billy Bragg Skiffle, Elvis 68, Jack Kirby The Prisoner, Casino Royale Concert, Review: The Prisoner Vol 2, Interview: The Prisoner Essential Guide, Maud Russell Mottisfont, Spy Vibe Radio 4, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview: Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review.

OUR MAN BOSKO: MONDO LOUNGE & PALM SPRINGS

Spy Viber, Bosko Hrnjak, is an established artist working in the stylish corner of the Fine Arts inspired by Mid-Century Modern architecture and design. His mixed-media pieces evoke the spirit of Rat Pack-era Vegas and Tiki Modern. Bosko has two exhibits coming up that Spy Vibers won't want to miss. Spy Vibe sat down for a virtual chat to discuss his new shows, Atomic Age Culture, Hugh Hefner, 007, Elvis, and Derek Flint's bachelor pad!

The main event on our radar is Mondo Lounge, an annual "Modernism Weekend" in Las Vegas, which will be held October 22-24 (so buy those tickets now!). The Mondo Lounge website describes their vibe as: "Mid Century Modernism, Classic Las Vegas, Hollywood glamour, lounge culture, Frank Sinatra, Rat Pack shenanigans, Martinis, cocktails, vintage fashion, Atomic Age and Space Age Living, Exotica (ala Les Baxter, Esquivel), Eames era style, 1950s, 1960s style, Bachelor Pads, minks and black tie, Sean Connery era James Bond, stereophonic sound, Pin-up Girls." Got your attention? The schedule is packed with fashion shows, film screenings, vintage-costume parties, dances, and art exhibits at the Palms Hotel by Bosko and Shag (Josh Agle). Bosko also has a solo show at M-Modern in Palms Springs, opening reception on December 4th at 7:00. More info on Bosko's website.


Spy Vibe: Tell us about the work that you have in the exhibit. what are some of the main themes?

Bosko: The work I have in the Mondo Lounge exhibit is curated by M-Modern in Palm Springs (where it will reopen first week of Dec), I’ve done many shows with them, the whole subject of mid century/modernism is truly embraced by Palm Springs and this work just fits that whole aesthetic. My “wood” art line came about when I met the founder of “Witco” Mr Westenhaver back in the mid 90’s, my (future) wife and I collected “their” work before we had met him (or each other), Witco was one of the most (if not the most) prolific mid century furniture/art companies in America any theme that was popular from 1956 to 1976 they produced, cats, African, conquistador, Tiki, mod, you name it they had some amazing and very crazy designs. Two of their most famous rooms were Elvis’ Jungle room and Hefner's pool room at the Chicago Playboy mansion, but they designed or furnished hundreds (probably thousands) of other establishments during that period and had show rooms all over the country for regular people who wanted some exotic element or environment in their lives.

The thing that really appealed to me with their “framed art” was the mass produced aspect one person (William Westenhaver) designed it but it took many (steps) people to assemble all the disparate pieces no one person saw it whole (until the end) nor did they have any aesthetic interest in it, in particular they hired employees with no creative ambitions. My favorite designs were very minimal. They would have a little wedge shape of wood indicating some thing, the hull of a boat, a bird, a sun or moon, etc… He reduced the subject matter to a few elements that your eye was able to quickly translate the meaning of. Their “art” was a symbol of or only represented a piece of art, but they sold it and people proudly bought it as a genuine “hand crafted” piece of art. Of course I don’t know how far people thought that through back then, but it really hit a cord with me.

At first glace my work looks like something that could pass as a (vintage) piece from a mid century environment. But on closer inspection, they are obviously from today. Many are more of a homage to certain pieces of architecture or what we today view as a mid century style. Others are simple or whimsical. But in all of them, I try to remove as much extraneous information as possible -yet still convey the idea- and in that, they tend to have that (minimal) modernist quality without actually being “modern art”. The work that is in the show runs the gambit: birds, abstract shapes, sea life, buildings, desert scenes, flowers, ants, a monkey and bird, I had many more on the drawing board for this show but had to get on to other projects.

Spy Vibe: Do you have fave films or culture from the mid-century/tiki period that you draw from for inspiration?

I love so many films from that period. Most of the movies we own are from that era, there really is so much you can draw from on so many levels: the sets, wardrobe, film scores. It’s obvious at each stage that they had a vision which would convey something genuinely new. As far as culture, we are huge collectors of almost anything from the mid century, our home is filled with different themed rooms and collections. It’s like a museum to that era. When we travel, we look for any architecture, restaurants, anything we can view or experience. It all still has such a fresh purposeful look even 50 years on. If you contrast it to “popular” design today there’s no comparison. Just take something common like signage- fifty years ago it could be anything from crudely hand painted to utterly fantastic, functional sculpture. Today it’s all the same eight square foot plastic box. It's so static when you see a road full of them, your eye can’t make out any one. Ironically, the whole idea of today’s enforced uniformity was to clean up visual clutter, and that’s exactly what they created.

Spy Vibe: Who were your spy heroes growing up?

My big hero was Robert Conrad on the TV show Wild Wild West. Obviously it’s not a cold war spy, but then what else was he really? All the gadgets, the 60’s inspired western ware, the sets, the villains. I guess I liked almost anyone you would see on a TV set in pre-cable Los Angeles: Robert Wagner in It Takes a Thief, The Persuaders with Tony Curtis, Roger Moore. Also on the occasional Sunday Night movie when they would run a classic James Bond, for a kid it was such an exciting event to look forward to.

Spy Vibe: If you were an evil villain, what would you choose as your secret lair?

I hate snow but Piz Gloria (On Her Majesty's Secret Service), Blofelds research facility in the Alps, was very cool and isolated yet connected all over the world. But if there is one (non evil villain) interior environment I am absolutely inspired by, it’s Derek Flint’s NY (In like Flint) apartment; all the art, the multi-level swinger bachelor pad vibe, the whole movie has amazing interior design. It's obviously a parody but for my money they really nailed it.

Thanks, Bosko, and have a great time at your shows! If other Spy Vibers attend these events, say hello (wear a James Bond or Beatles lapel pin as ID if you are incognito).

For more on Modernism, Hugh Hefner, and design, see Spy Vibe's article Set For Adventure and Derek Flint's pad (#3 in our Top-Ten Set Countdown!). You can see more of Bosko's Tiki art here. Also, Check out fellow Bay Area blog, Humu Kon Tiki for more Tiki Modern fun.