“What the heck is a Flea Zorkus??” you might ask. We wondered that very thing! Andy Kennedy and Leslie Crist got a pre-visit tour with Ken Zell (L to R). According to Ken, the creator:
the flea zorkus (circus) is…
an impossibility, an absurdity. what’s all this stuff doing, on this road, in these woods? there are no answers. i just make stuff, stuff with no purpose, no connections, no utility, no requirements. generally, ‘pataphysical, which has no obligations, and limited connection to anything. there is no gravity here. gravity allows purpose, necessity to think, to create connection, utility, obligation. If you want gravity you need to find another road.
Ken is, to say the least, a VERY interesting person to talk with. He’s looking forward to sharing his creations and thoughts with us at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 14th. Flea Zorkus is at 6163 NW Saltzman Road, Portland, adjacent to Forest Park. For those who can’t join in person, Bob Deasy is making a video recording which will be posted after the event.
Be prepared for a wild time! Flying pencils? Check. A ring master to manage the…performing carrots?? Check. And don’t get me started on the roller coaster.
One of the MANY unique things about Ken’s place is that there is no entrance fee to visit the circus. Instead, visitors may choose to donate to specific non-profits in need of support.
In the meantime, see Ken’s website for a better sense of his sculpture and philosophy.