The Nonist reminds us that today is the birthday of that enemy of good taste and fine art, Pablo Picasso. What you may not have known is that he was also a tiki enthusiast, and owned a large collection of Polynesian art, which you can see in Peter Stepan's book, Picasso's Collection of African and Oceanic Art, which Humuhumu hepped me to back in September. You can see old Pablo on the cover there glancing slideways at his favorite Marquesan tiki. I was going to pre-order a copy from Amazon, but I think I'll ask for it as a Christmas gift instead, since my family is always complaining that they don't know what to buy me.

As I ponder the life of the great artiste, I am reminded of this immortal lyrical couplet by Jonathan Richman:

Some guys try to pick up girls and get called assholes
This never happened to Pablo Picasso

Many happy returns, you old scamp!

[Link: Happy Birthday Mr. Picasso]
[Link: Picasso's Collection of African Oceanic Art]