HAP HAZARD from Media Mike’s Mask Museum

 

Everything I make is a love story.

 

Celebrate the Life

We will celebrate the life of The Center for International Education (THE CIE) in the Elmer L. Andersen Library at the University of Minnesota from 6-8:30pm on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Program’s at 7pm.

In addition, there will be an exhibition of books, printed ephemera, and videos representing the 50 year history of the organization on display in the Bell Gallery in Wallin Center from June 15-August 28, 2026.

I was founder and artist in residence throughout the history of this micro-nonprofit.

We always regarded the work created by The Center with public support as public works. The library now has copyright to everything we made. What we created will now be available to others not only to study and experience, but also to make new expressions.

A Smile on Every Farmer’s Face

After another year of photographing the Hmong American Farmers Association Farm (HAFA), I have decided to retire from the commission. "All the farmers love you," said Pakou Hang, one of the cofounders of the farm. "Your pictures, your art is how my nephew Mason is going to tell his grandchildren about the farm. Your pictures are our brand. You are the sun. I think the world of you. You bring poetry into my life." "Your presence puts a smile on every farmer's face," said cofounder Janssen Hang. "Not everyone gets to see the fruit of their labors. Your pictures do that. Farmers have come to me, proudly saying they were photographed today." Camera work started in 2015. For three years I documented the creation of the farm. The library of pictures developed into a full blown solo exhibition mounted by the Minnesota Museum of American Art (The M) that traveled the state. We now have a library of thousands of pictures that portray the farmers, the crops, the infrastructure of the farm, climate smart growing practices, and more. When I Zoomed with Pakou and her brother Janssen Hang to talk, we three laughed and cried. I am embraced as a brother. The farmers are my family.

“When I was growing up, I was forced to help in the garden,” said John (the dad with a hat). “What the f###? Now I see. I was helping put food on the table. It is family. When they are older, they’ll understand. Dad was trying to take care of us. I tell them that I’d rather be at home too. We have to put food on the table. That’s why I’m here.”

“I’m learning so when mom and dad turn the farm over to me, we know what to do. I’m learning. When they do, I will grow cucumbers. Then make salad to sell.”

That’s why we’re here, to dream large. It's the American dream.

This farming family makes me happy to be here.

To see more work from the farm project, click. Camera work by Mike Hazard

Will and Savannah pack boxes. Camera work by Mike Hazard

Sunsetting

On September 7, 2025, the board of The Center for International Education (THE CIE) unanimously voted to sunset our nonprofit. The Center is the micro-nonprofit where I have been artist in residence for 50 years.

The headline is the Elmer L. Andersen Library at the University of Minnesota has collected our life’s work. Sixty-nine boxes of videos, photos, books, and journals were picked up on Monday, October 6. The whole shebang. Boom.

The Painted Eye

The Painted Eye is a video portrait by Mike Hazard of the artist Jerry Rudquist painting a self-portrait. Kathleen Laughlin edited. The music is "The Room Of Remembrance, Part III" by Terry Riley.

Read the eulogy I gave at Rudquist’s funeral.

Click to watch a chronological edit of the painting. It’s a video for painters.

To watch more of my videos, click.

Applause for Mike Hazard in a photo by Mike Hazard

Seven Mysteries

I'm grateful that Paul Mattes invited me to read poetry at the Midstream Reading Series. I read seven poems which contain mysteries, strangenesses, and things I cannot explain. Seven small wonders of the world. Seven mysteries for Midstream. Here's one.

AFTER RAIN
The worms worked
all night, writing long lines
of crazy, untranslatable
poetry in the street.
Inebriates of spring,
they dry out in the sun.

During the reading, I marveled at my smart phone which I'd used to invite people to come, who did. Technology can make things happen. With the same device I then encouraged applause, which was given for a picture. Click. Friends might enjoy the video.