MYTH MEETS MODERN

“My hope and dream is to, through modern day theatrical skills and the power of black light body painting, present a deeper understanding of the Hawaiian culture,” writes Rachel Deboer, whose body art is as inspired as it is prolific. “[T]o not just the local community, but also capture even a glimpse or small essence of its power and beauty for the visitor to take away with them, beyond what has been offered before.”

Deboer has delved deep, conducting “extensive research from many different sources, written and personal, from the Hawaiian culture,” to create this theatrical dance show.

Mythologically inspired, it explores the idea between a “possible relationship one ancient Hawaiian carver, or kahuna kalai, has with the four major akua, or gods, in Hawaiian mythology.”

Deboer lists the major gods include Kanaloa, Kane, Ku and Lono, but is also keen to point out the show includes the goddesses Haumea, Kahaloapuna (the Rainbow Maiden), and, of course, Pele.

“This show is not meant to be all inclusive of every fact, meaning or ritual that may have been lost over the ages,” Deboer writes of the show.

“No piece of art can capture the past in its entirety.  I crafted this mythological interpretation with my own flair for the theatrical and unique perspective and search for spirituality in everyday life,” she continues.

“I am sensitive to the fact that being a non-Hawaiian genetically may put me at a disadvantage in some people’s minds to truly being able to present a piece of sacred art back to the host culture.  I have had an influx of  positive reactions from Kahunas, teachers, Hawaiian entertainers, tiki carvers, and various other local community members.”

SOURCE SNEAK PEEK

Premiering in full on February 20th, at SOURCE – Interactive Arts Festival 2010 (February 19th – 22nd), The Birth of Tiki will surely wow. Want the wow-factor now? See some of the show sooner with a special sneak peek fundraiser on January 24th–appropriately held at Wow-Wee Maui’s Kava Bar & Grill.

To feature the evening’s fashion show of The Birth of Tiki’s 10-member, blacklight painted cast, the entire venue will be blacklight lit. Doug Deboer will provide his famed visual and slideshow expertise, and six artists will feature their work in a showcase, including a display by a master Maori carver.

You cannot invoke the spirit of the tiki (or what is evoked of it’s image), without hearing the tribal rhythms of the Pacific, as haunting and hollow as a distant conch. So, for this partiki, beats are definitely in order.

Who will be the four major spin gods? DJ Cudra Clover of the Exotica Hour, DJ Plush, DJ Toben, and DJ Joey the Wrench.

FO’ MO’:

Check out MT’s Calendar Listing for the 5Ws on this January 24th Fundraising event.

Read more from Rachel Deboer (and see more photos) in her The Birth of Tiki Blog.

Learn more about Deboer’s work by visiting her website.

See the Dining Listing for Wow-Wee Maui’s Kava Bar & Grill.

See Wow-Wee Maui Candy Bars featured in “Eat Me!”

Read “Need for Speed,” by Ynez Tongson, set in the backdrop of Wow-Wee Maui’s Kava Bar & Grill.

Get hyped for SOURCE by checking out their website.