The word “chick” is, simply, the word “chic” with a “k” at the end of it. One, tough consonant linked to the thought of elegance describes a twenty-first century woman who may not know where she is or where she’s going but knows who she is in the meantime. “Chick” is chic badass. “Chick” is the sound of Cindy Blackman’s drumsticks knocking the rims of her kit. “Chick” is the action of a cocoon splitting to reveal the butterfly. Chicks wear ruby slippers to remind them where their power comes from. They work their way through turbulence with grit and class so a new generation of chicks may do the same. These are the qualities I reach for when I use the word “chick,” even though its etymology hasn’t always been so inspiring.
This collection depicts the evolution of the word “chick” from its literal definition to its contemporary connotations. Motifs in each collage represent eras in which different definitions of the word emerged. I begin with baby chickens sharing space with children for whom “chick” may have been used as a term of endearment 1, 2. Then, I progress to the 1920s when “chick” gained a foothold as a primarily female label – more specifically, a derogatory epithet for a coquettish character in Sinclair Lewis’ novel, Elmer Gantry 1, 2. Then, I shift to the avant-garde lexicon starting with the slender, enigmatic figures whose beatnik boyfriends referred to as “their chicks. 2, 3” From there, “chick” develops into a genre of film and literature in which personalities like Pam Grier and Lynda Carter portray female agents of personal and social revolution 2. The work culminates with an image of world-renowned jazz and rock drummer Cindy Blackman playing her drum kit, thus embodying the onomatopoetic quality of “chick” in addition to the “chic badass” it suggests1, 2, 3.
When establishing the visual rhetoric, I had two rules: work fast, and keep it simple. I tried not to get lost in an ambitious vision for fear that I would never progress. Having only a rudimentary knowledge of the photo editing applications at my disposal, I made quick decisions on what images I opened and just starting playing with the tools. If I liked what I made, I ran with it. If I didn’t like it, or if it was too much of a technical hassle, I tried something else. As far as images, I favored what gave me the least conflict in terms of licensing. This is why most of the images have no known copyright restrictions including the butterflies which I used as an elegant, bold icon for “chick.” I knew what the color scheme would be before I made one collage. Taking inspiration from a baby chick’s yellow fluff, I wanted to reinvent the connotative colors of “chick” by moving gradually from a bittersweet yellow to an intense gold – all up against simple black-and-white backdrops. The result is a pictorial salute to a word I regard as a badge of honor. Please enjoy.
