Cuplomacy: Form, Function and Mediation
This current body of projects questions and seeks answer to; current relationships between religious and political factions, public and private accessibility in a democratic society, the deployment of art and craft in culture, and craft as a tool of benevolence. These topics are explored through art delivery strategies that create real physical social networks.
Michael approaches all of these processes with the optimism that humanity has great potential to prevail over the destructive divisions that exist in our world today.
"One of the great joys of being an artist is the ability to dream without limitations and then acting on those dreams without the fear of failure. With this mindset I can imagine that a cup could be infused with the spirit of the late Charles Kuralt, branching out into the country to seek out stories waiting to be told, or that a cup could hold the potential of the great Desmond Tutu, and be integral in conversations of mediation. Without practical limitations on function I am free explore how an object can operate as a comforting handshake, a how-do-ya-do in the form of a cup." - Michael Strand
Michael's work begins by scrutinizing the function of art and craft in contemporary society. He then develops projects that create bridges of communication that are enabled by the common use and/or distribution of hand-thrown ceramic cups made in his studio at North Dakota State University. These projects then seek to develop a specific history for the objects involved through experiments in conceptual function. Michael straddles a line between journalist, social-scientist, activist and potter.
You might recognize Michael, he is the guy at the grocery store that will find a way to talk to you... whether you want to or not. He simply loves people.
