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Hula: Vintage Hawaiian Graphics
The hula dance, historic, exotic, and romantic, has epitomized the somewhat intangible lure of the tropical Pacific for over two centuries. The idealized Hula Girl-with her ukulele, grass skirt, and curvy figure-evolved into the ultimate symbol of fantasy and lured tourists to Hawaii. This collection of unique vintage images will transport you to the Islands in no time.
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 2, 2022
I am Hawaiian and have very mixed feelings about how this image has been taken over and used as a way to project traits onto a people (especially the image of sexual access to women). But this book is very well researched and provides insight into why the Hawaiian people are starting to challenge this superimposed projection onto their true culture.
February 27, 2025
i'm oddly obsessed with mid-century beach culture, & this is a great addition to the book element of my collection (probably could double as 'end table' décor). this was a book i actually came across on GR & sought out in print; thanks, goodreads!
i was surprised not to see any annotations for the images, as is typically the case with Taschen's (esp. Jim Heimann's) material, and i honestly missed it. some things were clear enough – a few film adverts, some match books, album covers – but i would still have loved more context (even if just 'album, various artists, 1954' or 'anon, photo of a girls' holiday, 1922' or something like that).
the introduction was informative & a great read, though i do wish it had been a bit longer.
some images definitely show very clearly how times have changed since the first half of the 20th century, and i'm glad that stereotypes are being challenged. this is a solid little time-capsule, at any rate, and a great item for collectors (including those running out of space on their bookshelves, lol).
‼️a note for American readers —
some top nudity is sprinkled throughout this one. being that 'Nipplegate' was apparently nearly the end of the world for so many people, i figured i'd toss in this disclaimer so poor Taschen (or at least Mr Heimann) doesn't get sued. haha.
[27 Feb 2025]
i was surprised not to see any annotations for the images, as is typically the case with Taschen's (esp. Jim Heimann's) material, and i honestly missed it. some things were clear enough – a few film adverts, some match books, album covers – but i would still have loved more context (even if just 'album, various artists, 1954' or 'anon, photo of a girls' holiday, 1922' or something like that).
the introduction was informative & a great read, though i do wish it had been a bit longer.
some images definitely show very clearly how times have changed since the first half of the 20th century, and i'm glad that stereotypes are being challenged. this is a solid little time-capsule, at any rate, and a great item for collectors (including those running out of space on their bookshelves, lol).
‼️a note for American readers —
some top nudity is sprinkled throughout this one. being that 'Nipplegate' was apparently nearly the end of the world for so many people, i figured i'd toss in this disclaimer so poor Taschen (or at least Mr Heimann) doesn't get sued. haha.
[27 Feb 2025]
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews