Mildred "Chick" Strand, a multifaceted artist, embarked on a remarkable journey that spanned over three decades. With a freshly minted anthropology degree in the early 1960s, she redirected her focus towards ethnographic filmmaking, delving into the world of experimental documentary.
In 1961, Strand co-founded Canyon Cinema with Bruce Baillie, a pioneering organization that gave birth to the San Francisco Cinematheque in 1965. They revolutionized the film landscape by organizing screenings of experimental, documentary, and narrative films in unconventional East Bay locations, such as backyards and community centers. This bold move responded to the scarcity of public venues for independent movies, coinciding with a widespread explosion in American avant-garde film. The era was characterized by social idealism and communal energy, and the films showcased by Strand and Baillie fearlessly explored the intersection of cinematic visual expression and cultural critique.
As the 1960s drew to a close, Strand relocated to Southern California to pursue further studies in ethnographic film at UCLA. She subsequently joined the faculty of Occidental College, where she served as the director of the film as art program for an impressive quarter of a century. During the 1970s, Strand continued to refine her visual aesthetic, and her subjects increasingly became women. She developed a distinctive filmmaking style, characterized by backlit subjects photographed in close-up and motion, using a handheld telephoto lens. This technique yielded sensual, lyrical images that became synonymous with Strand's artistic identity. Throughout her illustrious career, Strand created nearly a score of remarkable films, and concurrently honed her skills as a photographer and painter.
