Exhibition Description:

Food for Thought is an artwork about gratitude, labor, and community. It honors the people who grow, prepare, and share our food, from farmers and farmworkers to market vendors and restaurant staff. Through a black-and-white comic-book style scene, the installation invites viewers to reflect on the care and effort behind every meal.

We created this piece with a deep sense of appreciation and concern. Many families in our local communities continue to struggle with food insecurity, and Food for Thought brings attention to that reality. The artwork is built in part from actual cans of food, symbolizing both the need and the hope of nourishment. These cans will be donated to a local food bank.

The farmers who grow our food also work under incredibly difficult conditions. Long hours in the sun, physically demanding labor, and often sub-minimum wages are part of their everyday lives. We intend to recognize their strength and dignity, and value the hands that feed us.

Food for Thought was created by Master of Fine Arts Graduate student Elisabeth Koss with Bachelor of Art students Ari Granados, and Laura Rubin – three artists from San José State University collaborating together under the umbrella of the Fung Collaboratives. We are grateful to the San José State University Art & Art History Department for providing a special grant to assist with this installation. The artists will
post times when they will be present to invite visitors into the Art Kiosk to fully experience Food for Thought.

About the Artist:

Elisabeth Koss resists easy categorization for her art making. Her practice is an ever-evolving exploration of what art can evoke in the viewer. Trained as a neuropsychologist, Koss is now pursuing her Master of Fine Art degree as a second career. The artist is fascinated by the dynamic relationship between light, color, and reflectivity. Koss then allows the materials to guide the process. The viewer’s encounter with the work changes with each moment and angle, transforming passive observation into active interaction. By inviting viewers to engage actively and discover shifting perspectives, Koss hopes to spark wonder that resonates beyond the immediate encounter.

Ari Granados’s practice involves shifting people’s perspectives, as well as showing the vulnerability and power that comes with seeing things in a different light. Their projects aim to illustrate complex and sometimes sensitive topics in a way which is both clearly understood and visually compelling. Continuously experimenting across different mediums to have their message be as powerful as possible, their love for the
mysterious, the misunderstood, and the murky fuels their passion for art and fascination with the unknown.

Laura Rubin is a California-based artist who primarily works with sculpture and installation while also engaging with a diverse array of mediums. She is greatly inspired by observations in everyday life, including how people interact with spaces, the forms and functions of everyday objects, and the smaller details that often go unnoticed. Interested in how art can spark a sense of curiosity and reflection, she creates work that encourages viewers to slow down and engage with subtle details. Her practice often tests the boundaries of mediums, experimenting with materials and forms to challenge expectations and invite new ways of seeing.

About the Art Kiosk:

Since 2019, the Art Kiosk aims to bring thought-provoking installations and public art to Redwood City and the Bay Area through eight, six week-long exhibitions throughout each year. Artists from the Bay Area and around the world have been invited to realize their ambitious, site-specific artworks for our audience to enjoy. The initiative was conceived and is curated by Lance M. Fung. Donated curatorial work and project
management for the exhibition series is provided by Fung Collaboratives. The Redwood City Improvement Association (RCIA) is the sole sponsor since the inaugural year. Redwood City acts as the logistical partner and provides the space and utilities. Please drop by for a visit 24/7 at 2208 Broadway, Redwood City, CA for a free viewing. Details may be found at: www.fungcollaboratives.org