Chicksilog

2005
video and installation
Richmond Art Center

For only one summer every 33 years, the legendary, enchanted, unmoored Chicksilog Island drifts into San Francisco Bay, and anchors itself near Point Richmond. The devastating women of the island are known for their fierce warrior strength and romantic beauty, their deep fondness for all things orange, and their mild derangement. Unique aspects of island culture include decision-making by tribal spelling bee, and conflict resolution through flipflop-on-a-stick battles. In a gesture of gracious goodwill to the people of Richmond, the Chicksilogs shared their private universe of femininity in an effervescent adventure installation of video and murals chronicling the exploits and foibles of their simple island culture.