Mission Statement of Steve, 2001

Wood frame blue Plexiglas, marquee lettering
Private collection Nancy Rotter and Todd Wilson

I will strive to honor and to perhaps even exploit 

the ideals of contemporary life.  

In these complex and somewhat uncertain times

I will try to poeticize the path of least resistance.

When I am faced with any decision, I will try to

somehow complicate it.

My mission is difficult to ascertain. 

But I will but I will continue to articulate it

And convince more people, “if you mean well, 

it’s basically OK… “

Double Flame Exhibition
Cranbrook Academy of Art

This day, like any other day customer service was painfully slow and there was no discernable order of a waiting line.  This was before cell phones; and if you didn’t bring a book or a crossword you were totally bored. I looked around the lobby hoping to find something to read. I realized that I  was randomly standing beneath this company’s Mission Statement.  I read it over 2 or 3 times, because I wasn’t exactly sure what this company was pledging to do.  It made me think I could use a moral compass.