Pele
My art project is entitled “The Birth of Tiki” and utilizes ancient Hawaiian mythology with modern day theatrical technology and art trends through the use of black light magical body painting and costumery to create a visual delight for the eye and soul. I have created a full blog explaining in detail The Birth of Tiki which can be viewed at
The Birth of Tiki
I have 25 years experience in the performing arts as a director, actor, writer, and producer. I have been the theater arts coordinator for Source for the last 3 years, and have for over the last 8 years that I have been living on Maui continuously produced interactive multi-media theater and art shows for the the community to enjoy. Birth of Tiki is my love letter to Maui. It is a way to combine my love of body art and theater together in a way that will honor, educate, inspire, and promote the people and the ancient Hawaiian spirituality.
I chose the imagery of the tiki specifically as in some Polynesian cultures the tiki is known as the first man. In Hawaii the tiki is the sacred divine physical embodiment of the Akua or gods. Besides being visually stunning, the tiki is a symbol of divinity that I wanted to honor through body art with my research into the four main gods of Hawaii: Kane, Ku, Kanaloa, and Lono. Birth of Tiki will be performed Saturday night at 9pm inside the main Gym indoor stage area that will be set up for a talent show as well.
I have trained over 10 new body painters in preparation for this show which will premiere at Source for the very first time. I have painstakingly introduced the idea of not just creating art for this project alone but nurturing life long artistic skills in my community and stimulating my fellow artists to create a new source of income and lifestyle through body painting. All the body art designs in the show are based on authentic cultural research that I hope will express even just a small bit of the essence of the divine Akua.
Source is an amazing platform to showcase new types of art, and my main goal is to tour this show around the islands and the world in order to promote Hawaii and its cultural traditions.
My financial needs: Makeup costs- $200 (I have invested countless jars of makeup for body painting training days and lent makeup from my own personal collection for an infinite amount of events)
Staging materials (rope, black curtains, wood)- $100
Black lights- ongoing
Prop construction- $50
My needs are greater than the art grant amount offered but I would be thrilled to apply whatever financial support I am given to this project with gratitude.
Birth of Tiki will be an ongoing revolutionary art movement here on Maui that will not end with its premier performance at Source. I have and will continue to promote Source through my art projects and will bring to Source the beauty of our dreams in black light as well as honoring the land we live on. Through the arts we can bridge cultural divides, interpret our host culture in unique and respectful ways, reach out towards new friends and colleagues in order to create “Soulutions” to our individual and community wide issues, and involve ourselves with the greater questions of why we are here and how can we make this world a better place through art.
Black light tiki goddess
Much Aloha,
Rachel Deboer
(808) 268-8651
Rachel DeBoer – Body Painting & Character Actress – Maui, Hawaii
