David & Fred Zinn
David Zinn
Since 2005, David Zinn has been creating his most celebrated work in a medium that washes away in the rain, using chalk, charcoal and found objects (e.g. cracks, weeds, and manhole covers) to improvise imaginary creatures on the sidewalk. Although these artworks only last a few days at most, their photos are shared every day on media outlets all over the world, accumulating more than four million followers online and resulting in the publication of several books including Underfoot Menagerie, The Chalk Art Handbook, and Chance Encounters.
Mr. Zinn is inspired by a desire to place cheerful art in unexpected places and embrace the temporary nature of all things. Furthermore, by drawing in public with easily obtained “childish” materials, David hopes to demystify both the creation and the appreciation of art, reconnecting people with the joy and confidence with which they created art when they were children.
Fred Zinn
Every October since 2011, Fred Zinn has installed a diorama made from hand-painted cardboard on his porch at the corner of Cherry and Parsons in Northampton. The theme changes every year, and has featured dinosaurs in candyland, Edwardian adventure frogs, a monster tea party, a robot costume shop, and pirate pugs escaping a giant octopus. The joy of watching people come across these scenes unexpectedly is significant motivation for this work.
Since Dave Rothstein dropped by the porch with a friendly challenge: “Let’s install your monsters in a trolley!”, critters from these displays have begun to appear at other local art venues: the Winter HooPla event at the Trolley Museum in Shelburne Falls, and the Holyoke Art League Show at the Wistariahurst Museum. Like many local artists, Fred continues to be inspired in Dave’s memory to “say yes” to every chance to bring more whimsy into the world.
