The Little Island That Could

Kelly Vance, 2005, SF Weekly

Picture a rowboat lazily floating in Lake Merritt, its only cargo a young oak tree and a garland of flowers. Now picture that same boat, officially named The Unknown Island, floating there for three months, its only „residents“ insects and birds. If that sounds suspiciously like a public art project, you’re right. Artist Sonja Meller was evidently inspired by José Saramago’s modern fairy tale, The Tale oft he Unknown Island, a shortish parable with spiritual import. What will happen to the „little island“? Will it float out the Oakland Estuary? Be pulled out the Golden Gate? End up in Yokohama? Go down and see for yourself.

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