KrossD: Krisis Cooking with Mike Street

Although Mike Street has a degree in Communication and Fine Arts from LMU, he cites a year of independent studies in Paris as a "most transformative" time. He's worn many hats over the years, from graphic design for the 70s game show Joker's Wild to Visual Merchandiser for Pottery Barn. The latter gig led to him being promoted to managing the company's VM nationwide. After retiring early, Mike has been a fixture in the Los Angeles fine art community. Mr. Street has had a studio at Hive Gallery in Downtown Los Angeles for the past decade, often baking cookies and various other treats for the Downtown Art Walk. He is honestly among the kindest humans I've ever met. Here's how he's doing:

How are you feeling, Mike?

I’m feeling physically fine at the moment.

Emotionally, I’m feeling unsettled and fragile as news and protocols unfold daily. The future is uncertain on so many levels. It is suddenly a new world without our regular routines and practices

How many days have you been self-quarantining? Are you separated from your partner?

Except for 3 supermarket trips, I have been self-quarantined for nearly 3 weeks.
I AM separated from my partner by 2,500 miles. It’s VERY concerning to be that far apart in these rough times.

When did it hit you how serious this was?

I’d say the penny dropped about a month ago or when Italy’s virus events started hitting the news. Each passing day, things got exponentially more serious. In the end, I think this will hit America far harder than 9/11.

Have you had cancelled shows as a result?

Sure. I’ve cancelled shows, art walks, etc. - five within a month’s time. Like everyone. Relatively unimportant to me right now.

What have you been doing with the downtime?

In general, most of my downtime is spent on strategizing basic survival. With an uncertain future in store, my priorities have shifted. I’m staying apprised of the latest news, keeping in more frequent touch with loved ones, looking at more social media, watching comedy films, playing a couple video games, etc. Cooking, baking and doing a little gardening are controllable comforting routines. Quite frankly, in this newness, art is currently on back burner as “a-nice-to-do” not “a-need-to-do.” With time, of course that will recover and change.

Is there any inspiration to be found in all this?

Yes, current events are inspiring to a degree. But I want some distance and less worry before I commit them to making art. Things are still unfolding - and ramping up. I’m still knee-jerk reacting to them, not objective. I don’t want to make sad or angry art. I want to make and see meaningful expressive “good” art I can live with in the long run. Without being too frivolous, even my darkest art is playful. And I don’t feel very playful right now. Also, to my thinking, specific current events have a shelf life that expires somewhat quickly. Unless I come up with a compelling concept that transcends today’s news, I’m tentative about adding it to my body of work. I could be wrong. Sure, every artist’s work is a little journalistic (like a diary) bound by the maker’s thoughts and feelings at a given time. I think of Philip Guston's numerous obsessive Nixon drawings - terrific, but thank goodness they played out. Ha!

What has been the most challenging part of this for you?

I worry terribly about the safety of my loved ones, especially my “at-risk” loved ones. I really should clean and organize my work space, too. I’m beholding to spend time in different States, and some routines have been neglected and gotten out of control even before these pandemic times. That should improve as I learn to be a better and more proactive dodge-ball player. As life gets more complicated, I see the need to edit and simplify, simplify, simplify - or dismiss altogether. Peace of mind has been difficult to achieve lately. Otherwise, solitude is not a challenge. I think most artists require it.

What are some your coping mechanisms?

Cooking seems to help me cope. It’s a necessary activity for survival and requires care but a minimum of thought - a good zen zone for me whilst I ponder other things. I also find that doing a little simple gardening is calming. Nurturing even a few plants or flowers keeps me connected to life and the earth. (My circumstances prevent owning pets, but I would if I could.) Meditation has been essential as a daily coping mechanism.

What's the thing/place you wish you could do/go but can't right now?

Definitely. I’d like to go back East and be with my partner. As I view him as an at-risk loved one, it’s very distracting.

Done any binge watching? Any recommendations (books, films. TV, games)?

I haven’t binge watched anything for a long time. BC (before coronavirus), I recently binged watched FORGED IN FIRE and RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE. I actually discontinued cable television earlier this year. At the moment, I’m drawn to smart light comedies like THE PRODUCERS (1968). I’m no stranger to movies of all kinds, but humor and fantasy seem to call me.

Favorite work of art in Los Angeles?

Chris Burden’s “Urban Light” at LACMA is NOT my favorite artwork in Los Angeles, but it IS. I see it often, day and night, even in passing. It’s monumental and nearly public art. It pleases me to see crowds of people interacting with it at all hours. It’s accessible enough on some level for everyone - art for the people. It’s rare for an artist to hit the mark of personal vision AND public popularity.

Urban Light by Chris Burden

Got a song stuck in your head right now?

After a long absence from my playlist, Tom Petty’s DON’T COME AROUND HERE NO MORE.

Hmm. You are the second artist, so far, with Petty head.

Alright, serious business, Mike. Favorite brand of toilet paper and where do you find it?

Aww, crap! Shitty question. Ha!

If you could hoard one food item, what would it be?

Good coffee (and real milk).

Can you share one of your favorite recipes with us?

USE IT OR LOSE IT STIR FRY

(You might as well start the companion rice of your choice before you get going on this recipe.)

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup oyster sauce

1 pound of cubed meat, chicken or beef (or go vegetarian)

2 pounds of chunks of various vegetables (like broccoli, carrots, celery, zucchini, bell peppers, green beans, mushrooms, onions - whatever you’ve got that might spoil if you don’t do something about it)

1/4 pound of snow peas

2 cups of bean sprouts

In a large pan, heat oil and sauce on medium. Add meat and carrots (and whatever other vegetables that take longest to cook) and toss for several minutes. Gradually add in the other vegetables (again, sequentially guided by whatever takes longest to cook.) Keep tossing. The final ingredient to add will be the bean sprouts. Serve with rice. There will be leftovers.

How do you think this all ends?

Most of us will be physically okay. But sadly, I think we’re all gonna know someone who didn’t make it. I do believe a vaccine will be found sooner or later, but not in time for many. Financially, this will require a very long recovery, perhaps involving a depression. Not doom and gloom, just being realistic. We will bounce back after the uncomfortable duration.

Thank you so much, Mike! I hope to bear hug ya soon.

Top photo by Ray Mata
Photos below courtesy of Mike Street

The following four images are works in progress for a series titled MT. OLYMPUS BELOW THE TREE LINE.