News

April 13, 2012

Yesterday was the opening reception for our co-founder Kimberly Ranalla's "Sugar-Coating Fear" series.

Here is her artist statement:

“Sugar Coating Fear” Series:

I first became deeply impressed with jelly fish in 2005 after a trip to Monterey, Ca.  I loved the contradiction of how they evoke fear and awe within the same breath as grace and beauty. Their ability to survive in their environment while being so seemingly fragile is amazing.  
  
In 2008, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  My captivation for jelly fish took on a new intensity as I saw a deep connection between the complexities of them and my experience.  In this series I want to communicate my fascination with jelly fish and how they convey a simple comparison to the emotions and realities of cancer.

While creating this series, I reflected on my time in treatment and how I dealt with the enormity of the situation.  During that time I had a mental state of survival, choosing not to be overcome by fear.  You could say I sugar coated my emotions.    

Jelly fish are jelly fish. Cancer is cancer. They each come in many forms, some more dangerous than others. Both are feared, dangerous, powerful and strong yet docile, survivable, delicate and fragile.  The similarities of human existence and jelly fish are striking. Jelly fish are victims to the tide just as we are sometimes victims to life’s “rough waters”. We all are subjects to our environment and can still find strength in our challenges.  There is an art to being fluid when you are in a fight against something you can’t control.  

My hope is that these paintings evoke emotions for you based on your current state of mind and understanding of your personal fears.  Fear can create power or weakness in who we are and how we deal with our emotions.  Life throws many unexpected things at us and we actually have a choice in how we deal with them.  Strive to dance like jelly fish during a time when you have little control over your body.

I now see the beauty in surviving.

**** If you have a moment stop by and see her work at Enloe Cancer Center, it will be up until mid-July.****

 

April 2nd, 2012:

ATTENTION:  

We are still trying to find a location that allows us to keep access fees reasonable for artists.  Legally as a non-profit, ALL MONEY coming to zenHopper goes to rent, materials and programs that fit our mission statement: TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT QUALITY ARTISTS AND ART IN THE REGION. 

We know that we have a lot to offer a location.  As a group we are a fantastically creative. We will brighten any location with art, construction with fun materials and an overall vision of making it all fit.  We draw positive people and energy to the neighborhood where we play.  We can increase value without additional costs to owners.  Our needs are simple and our results will be fantastic.

If you know of a location that might work our small list of needs are:  (1) a roof with greater than 1,000 sq ft,  (2) water, drains and a bathroom (3) 220 volt, multiple 60 amp breakers with ideally greater than 100 amp total, (4) a natural gas line.


It takes a lot of love to reinvigorate a community and our hope is to take up tenancy in the Park Avenue district in our amazing hometown Chico, CA.