Michael Russek

The wooden laser-cut piece on this site is hanging on my wall in Virginia Beach. I have always loved that piece. There are many pieces of Mike's work on display here, as well as those of other artists he featured at the 1028 Gallery in LA. We are devastated by this loss, but reading all the kind words and tributes from his many friends is so comforting. Thank you all,

Met two decades ago. This wonderful man has always been in my repertoire of memories.

I never got the chance to see you as an adult. We grew up together in Magnet School before we went our separate ways. I really wish you could've met my kids.

Nanoooken!

On the prowl! Wut wut!

Sam and I have many fun memories with Mike. I remember the feeling of always feeling a happy joy when we would encounter each other. But there is one memory that I recall often cause it made me laugh so hard and like it saved my life and my experience in that moment and since. When I think of it it still does. I still laugh. We were at a big festival (name omitted to protect the guilty) and the headliner DJ at the main stage was coming on and the music was building up and everyone was so excited, and somehow I recall many of our friends were all around us and the excitement was palpable...but then the build up kept going but not really going anywhere and it felt like it had gone on for like a million hours and lord only knows what I had imbibed shortly before but slowly I started feeling like if this doesn't peak soon my head is going to explode and I said "Sam lets go" and of course Sam is happy and fine with it all and didn't really want to leave but we started to leave and I turn around and Mike is standing there right behind me and he says EXACTLY what I was thinking in my head at that exact moment "Im about to have an aneurism! ". Omg. I laughed so hard. And you know those magical moments when all is understood and crazy synchronicities... we both laughed so hard because we totally got each other in that moment. To this day I think of that moment whenever things are just a bit too much and my head starts feeling that feeling...I say out loud " Im about to have an aneurysm!" And it makes me laugh still and the intensity ick goes away and all is well. All is well, Mike. All is well. Thanks honey. Love, 99 and Sam

Going to Mike's home/shop/arthouse at Factory Place back in 2004 was when I realized the kind of wacky wild and passionate artist I had met -- in the underground parties at SpaceIsland -- where our LA community spawned a huge influence together on counter culture. Mike's style and abilities amazed and will still continue to WOW me. He had this "puppy dog" excitement about everything he was creating! And this spilled over into the way he passionately loved and cared for his people. I felt so close to him over the last 20 years, even more so after he left LA and came to Bali when I invited hime to get out for a change -- to clear his head and clean up from the losses he endured. I'm honored to have known him so closely and experienced what real friends and family know -- loving, conspiring, helping, creating, blaming, fighting, destroying, and cycling all over again.
What I miss most is the twinkle in his eye, his laugh and smile, and how he'd call me excited to share his projects and news! I miss my friend's witty humor and come backs that were like darts to a bulls eye. Yet all in all his tenderness and "hey Hon" voice will remain forever in my head.
I played Tom Petty the day I learned he died. " Don't Fade", "Into the Great Wide Open" , "Wildflowers", "Come Don't around here No More" and so much more in his honor.
Then I took his spirit out for 2 nights of exquisite Sushi and Sake, telling jokes and enjoying it as much as he would as my date.

Forever you're in my heart Mikeeeeeeeee Love. You SideShow, Freaker of Fun, and Lover of Life.

I met Michael Russek on a Thursday night in January 1997. I was instantly drawn to his warmth and charisma. We made fast friends, and soon I found myself looking forward to whatever adventure Michael would lead on the coming weekend. The first time I saw his tiny apartment filled with like-minded people, creative and warm and accepting all of them, I knew i had found my tribe. Over the next several years I had the distinct honor of watching Michael blossom into a premier creator, and an absolutely giving and caring soul. I will be forever grateful to the universe for giving me the joy and honor of having Michael Russek count me among his friends. Rest now, my brother, for rest was probably one of very few pleasures in life you did not experience!

I met Mike many years ago when we were both living in baltimore. I remember hanging out and being so impressed by who he was as an artist and also as a person. His heart was so shiny. I haven’t seen him for years but I recently reached out when I thought I’d be going to Bali. It was so great to talk with him again and despite the years it was like no time had passed. I’m sad we missed each other. I’m sure his heart is shining somewhere. I know it’s still over here making me smile. Mike, you are missed. Thank you for your gifts 🩵

Michael was always kind to me, his parents’ old friend. I saw him regularly from birth through childhood, intermittently when an adult, making waves. In my company he made me laugh, shared wild ideas with excitement, enthusiasm, optimism. Of our life dreams - “Do it!” he’d encourage.
His painting, my favorite - a huge canvas with rounded, connected shapes of rock and hidden human forms, in soft pink, muted, layered earth tones, an alarming fissure of bright crimson slices through - hangs in his parents’ house. A masterpiece created in his twenties; many more brilliant, complex ideas in modern, unexpected, unexplored media to follow. Imagine that. Imagine what’s left undone.
Dear Michael, I hear his mellifluous voice, I see his warm smile, crinkled up eyes, genuine.

My cousin Mike was someone I always admired. He was 7-8 years older than me, which when your young feels like 15-20 years. Even so, his exciting energy, sense of humor, and somewhat mischievous individuality always had my attention.

My interactions with Mike became scarse as our adult lives progressed, but even so, in my reflection since he's been gone, I've had no shortage of memories of being around Mike. Christmas at the crossing, pulling little turtles out of our grandparents pond, wreaking havoc in thier basement. I remember hearing him play Even Flow, a new Pearl Jam song at the time, and how excited he was about it. From there, what ever CDs he had I was all about, Rusted Root - When I Woke, Blues Traveler - Four, the 90s had some hits.

We shared a grandfather that I think we both would have said had a profound influence on our respective lives. I didnt realize how much Grandpa Joe impacted Mike's life until he shared his thoughts after his passing. He told a story about Grandpa Joe running a red light one day when Mike was young, and when Mike asked why he didn't stop, he said the light was more of a suggestion. The lesson to Mike, always march to beat of your own drum, and as every one that knew Mike at any level, this is how he lived, and then some. Radical self-reliance, radical self-expression, immediacy, all things we should be working at as individuals, even outside of Burning Man. These were table stakes for Mike.

Rest in piece cuz, thank you for always shining your light however bright you felt like shining it.

I knew Mike at MICA. We had our thesis show together, Mike, Mike Barker, Marcus Ahlers, and I. I’ll never forget the intense 48 hour install, and the mutual support and encouragement among the four of us through two giddy days and sleepless nights without leaving the gallery until we were all done with our labor-intensive set-ups (involving lots of faux fur in Mike's case!). It was both nuts and wonderful, this shared rite of passage with these super dedicated artist friends.
Mike was a spark who ignited any group he was with, any situation he was involved in. Things were never dull if he was around. More than once we should have been kicked out of the Brewer's Art basement, but somehow never were. I liked to call him Ruckus, a play on his last name and his energy. He was lots of fun, really clever, and a very sweet guy. That smile! I love how so many of these pictures posted here feature that ready, genuine, slightly mischievous, and very contagious smile. Eternal peace to you, Mike.

Me with MR Los Angeles 2015. In the background you can see a bit of Mike’s workshop where he was fabricating a beautifully over-designed CNC-carved, sonically-endowed espresso machine vehicle for his upcoming trip to Burning Man. Anyone who knew Mike will recognize this as 100% on-brand for his optimistic, maverick genious.

Mike showed my work at his Transport Gallery in LA, shortly after we both graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Since then I’ve enjoyed seeing him globe-trot, swing thru NYC, move to Bali, and start any number of projects and companies, most recently www.merkabadesigns.com

Looking at this photo, I figured out his LA design studio was in Lincoln Heights, just down the street from my studio now. Indonesia seems a million miles away. My heart goes out to his surviving family and friends.

RIP Mike Russek. The light that burns twice as bright.

I just found out and I’m deeply saddened. The first time I met Mike I thought “Now there’s a creative talent. I was so impressed by his creative thinking and warm demeanor. He was kind to me and always supportive. I will always admire him and keep him in my thoughts. Sending my deepest sympathy to his family and everyone else that knew and cared for him.

To all of Michael’s Friends, thank you for giving Pam and I the communal validation that our son’s short existence was worthy of your support and love.

Michael finally achieved what all artists seek to accomplish; a continuous canvas which provided him with creative sustainability for life. Michael didn’t need a lot; he found peace with simply having enough.

Michael left us while he was on fire, reaching far higher than any flame cannon at Burning Man. With all the recent commissions he was awarded in Bali, the one that fueled his talents beyond imagination was the task of creating a Meow Wolf type venue in Bali with the sole purpose of indoctrinating tourists to the pure purpose of Balinese Culture. He became disgusted with tourists exploiting the culture he learned to love and respect by only wanting to use the temples as background for endless amounts of self serving selfies; witnessing the out of control parties and the rape of the rice fields by foreign investment. Michael was Burning Man, a passion for the Balinese people that pushed him far beyond his own physical limits.

Yes we all know that Michael wasn’t afraid of experimentation. As a grieving father it is hard to admit that my son ventured into the perfect storm; the wild winds of passion which tore his sails apart, the massive waves of success that came all at once, and finally the body of his craft than couldn’t sustain the rush. He left us with his optimism that he was going to reach that spiritual port; and I truly believe he did make it in his own way.

My dear great friend (brother) A great man. it was an honor and a beautiful journey knowing you most of your life.
You gave me so much in our years of friendship I am truly blessed to have been apart of your life on earth I'm quite sure are spirits will meet again... until then I will most certainly share everything you have given me with everyone you truly are an amazing soul ... I love and miss you R.I.P🙏🏽

Michael - I worked with your mom at Autotrader, which eventually became Cox Automotive. She regularly talked about how proud she was of you: of your conviction, your love for travel, your talent in the arts, how you mentored people you cared about. You also helped encourage your parents to try, see and do different things, especially as it realted to world travel. They are going to miss you so much. May your memory be a blessing.

Mike wasn’t just unforgettable, he was the kind of person who lit up every room he walked into, with a brilliant mind and a joy for life that was completely infectious. He was such a creative soul, an amazing artist, deep thinker… and he also just knew how to LIVE!

I’ll never forget when he first introduced me to Jamiroquai. He pulled up to pick me up in Richmond with Emergency on Planet Earth blasting through his tricked-out bass speakers that filled the entire trunk. 😂 That was Mike: full of energy, passion, and always sharing what he loved.

Another memory that will stay with me forever was a road trip we took to Asheville around 1997. We drove with the windows rolled down, the Grateful Dead’s Europe ’72 pouring out of the speakers, singing at the top of our lungs while our hair whipped in the wind. On that trip, we went hiking with friends and discovered a breathtaking 30-foot waterfall. Without hesitation, we all stripped down and jumped right in. After covering ourselves in dirt and rinsing off under the rushing water, we laid out in the sun… only to realize our skin was sparkling. ✨ The earth around us was filled with mica, and it reflected the sunlight, covering our bodies in glitter. It felt absolutely magical, like nature itself was celebrating with us.

I moved to Asheville the next year after graduating from VCU, and that memory was always with me. Mike’s mom shared a photo of a painting he made of that very waterfall, which now hangs in her home. What an honor it is to have known and loved Mike. I can’t wait to see you on the other side someday! I know you will be there to welcome me with the biggest hug and that amazing smile of yours! Love you Mikey! 💕

Hey Mike, I have a vision of you from 2018 one night while staring out into the Bali sea. With wide eyes and a smile you said, “[It’s] a wild ride.” I understood you weren’t referring to the ship we were on, in which you’d invited your parents, friends, and me, a brand new friend, but rather, to life itself.
I too was taking in Bali, mesmerized by its beauty, depth, and uniqueness. I felt how much you loved it there, how you’d found your place. I could tell you felt deeply, a fellow Piscean, and I recognized it in the way you took in the world around you.
You had a gift for making those around you calm; I never felt the need to explain anything to you, and you always made me feel welcome and accepted.
I never explicitly told you how much your warmth and kindness meant to me at a pivotal point in my life. It was exactly what I needed and your timing was always impeccable. You’d come through with an epic invite at the precise right time. That’s how I know you were super tapped in. As such, it seems you had a lightness about you.
I think you probably didn’t even skip a beat when you crossed over, soaring far, wide, everywhere all at once. You existed just about as close to that realm on this side as anyone can. You loved so easily and freely, you gave so effortlessly. You also had a lot of fun, more than most. You were an adventurer, a true artist, and a visionary. I was endlessly impressed with your projects, dedication, and execution. I was happy to help on the business side in the beginning, as you searched for the right Bali fabrication location.
You brought so many good people together. For balance, you called out bullshit where you saw it, the end goal being your unique gift - teaching us all that we can create the life we want and change the world for the better. Anything less is a distraction.
Thank you for all the adventures. That pirate ship to the Southern Gilis will remain one of the best experiences of my life, launching me into a new phase in the best way possible. That dinner on the island and subsequent inflatable raft trip back to the ship was perhaps the deepest I’ve ever laughed.
Thank you for all the scooter adventures across the island, chasing waterfalls and temples. You were the best guide. The photos I have of you are often of your back, because you were always up ahead to show us the way, even in a place you’d never been before. I have a feeling your early departure is so you can show us the way soon enough.
When I get up/out there, I’ll be looking for your crazy supped-up scooter, that wild head of hair, brightly painted toenails, and your big smile. Rest easy, friend. Your earth-side lust for life and energy are greatly missed.

You were full of love and infinite creativity. You will always be in the creative angels.

One of my absolute favorite stories about Michael involved his childhood discovery of
Cicadas in Virginia Beach. After many years underground cicadas emerge from the soil and then have a molting stage that leaves behind empty exoskeletons. They are incredibly ugly prehistoric looking large (3” long ) bug shells . As you can imagine these skeletons fascinated Michael’s young creative mind and adventurous spirit. While other children recoiled in fear at the site of these huge exoskeletons, Michael collected them and hung them all over his sweater… scaring the mailman half to death. I have to smile whenever I recall that story. I believe in life after life. I just can’t imagine that spirit energy disappearing. I believe Michael continues to amaze and elate in the hereafter. RIP sweet soul.

My heart hurts with the news that Mike has died. He is (not was) such a bright star we got to see up close, momentarily in celestial terms.

It's been years since we've seen each other, but just a month or so since we dm'd, when I had a random question about an artist he had introduced me to a long time ago. He not only had the answer, but a thoughtful and loving backstory, again demonstrating his powers of perception. I had hesitated to write him, it was so small and random, but his near immediate response was so welcoming and warm. I'm grateful to have had a last interaction with him so recently.

Talk about a imperfect human on a non-linear journey, actively struggling through and with the detailed beauty, joy, sadness, temporary-ness of it all? Someone with eons of ideas and dreams to share, and worth sharing? Something encouraging to say? Someone so gd full of it that they're magnetically charged? Someone trying to make sense of it? Maybe even avoid it? (Because there's even more in another direction and that'll do too.) Talk about some ridiculous, nostalgic buttery and intoxicating bourbon sweet potatoes on Friendsgiving? You're talking about a spirit that will be with us, inspiring, playing, challenging, nurturing, and in some ways haunting us who are still here, remembering Mike.

Mike, you were a true cosmonaut, a visionary too far ahead of its time. It was an honor being your friend and getting to unleash our imaginations together. Wishing you a safe journey ahead, may we get to dance with the birds again on the next timeline. 🤍

Micheal I haven’t known you for over 30 years. You were my childhood crush. Our parents have always stayed good friends so I’ve heard about your adventures and I’ve never been more jealous or proud. You showed all of us how to live with compassion and love. It’s been well over 30 years but I can still see your smile from across a room. Rest easy.

As I reflect on Mike’s presence in my life, I am awed by the divine orchestration of the universe, how a single moment, an interaction, a conversation at just the right place and time, can change the course of our lives forever.

Meeting Mike was like that for me. In 2006, a friend came to visit. He had been traveling across the country, taking photos, and wanted to put on a show. He told us he’d found a gallery, Mike Russek’s Transport Gallery at Factory Place, and invited Glenn to show alongside him. Not only did Mike host the show, but he welcomed the boys into his studio and helped them mill custom wood mounts for their photographs.

Of course, we Klowned opening night, apparently causing havoc throughout the building, an incident that ultimately got Transport Gallery shut down. When I spoke to Mike about it later, he laughed and said he was glad it happened. He’d already had complaints and was happy to go out in a crescendo. That one wild night became the spark of a friendship that would last nearly twenty years.

In 2011 I was fortunate to open my storefront, CLADE, across the street from Mike and Deb’s Dialect Gallery on 6th & Spring in the historic core of DTLA. I felt like I was riding the wake of the energy they had cultivated. Mike was always supportive, as both a friend and creative peer. I was honored that he rocked several of my leather jackets and his enthusiasm fed my inspiration.

Over the years, I learned so much from Mike and cherished his luminous energy. He was one of the most lit-up and activated humans I have ever known, fully engaged, fully alive, and always with his finger on the pulse of the next hot thing, whether music, art, or experience. I’ll never forget the first time I heard dubstep, blasting through his loft at Factory Place, with Mike electrified, insisting this was the sickest new sound.

One of the unique qualities that set Mike apart is that he was an accomplished artist and designer and also a curator. He loved to champion others, to elevate and amplify the work of those he admired. When Mike loved your work, he told everyone with unfiltered authenticity. His excitement was contagious, somewhere between a kid on christmas morning and a rockstar on stage. He was the mouthpiece of the underground art movement and people listened. He was so accomplished, there wasn't anything he couldn't do, figure out or excel at. Looking back, I see that all the talent he magnetized into his world was a reflection of himself, his vision, his enthusiasm, his fascinating & fascinated mind, and his radiant heart.

Mike elevated entire communities. He wasn’t content to simply attend festivals; he built professional galleries within them, transforming parties into cultural experiences. It was at one such experience, LIB 2010, that I first discovered the artwork of Ando Pndlian. If it weren’t for Mike’s galleries, I may never have met my beloved partner in life, Ando.

Another quality I deeply admired in Michael was his commitment to constant growth and renewal. He was never afraid to shed practices, processes, or systems that no longer served him, and acknowledge it openly. I remember when he had a thriving design and fabrication business at 1028, creating elaborate stages for Elton John and countless other projects. One day he told me he was done, finished with building things destined for short-term use and landfill. He committed to this shift and, in recent years, turned toward recycling plastic into building materials, creating art from waste, and studying regenerative architecture.

I admire Mike for being a trailblazer, a leader and a thought-shifter, as well as a kind human being, who could light up any room with laughter. Even through all the trials and challenges of life, Michael remained devoted to living with purpose and loving the life he lived.

It is hard to comprehend that in the divine orchestration of life, he was destined to leave us so young and in his prime. I can only imagine he was called to his next great adventure and that in his eternal spirit of change and renewal, he has shed everything that no longer supported the elevation of his spirit and moved on to a higher realm.

Thank you, Michael Russek.

Mike and I met in 2004 at Factory Place. We became fast friends for our love of art, partying, our sense of community and just having a blast. We were neighbors for nearly a decade and in those years we got to have Transport Gallery in the building, then Dialect which he ran with Deb as part of the DTLA Art Walk. Lucent L'Amour, Lucent Dossier, Space Island, these were our stomping grounds early on.
I can proudly say me and my roommate David Wilson introduced Mike to Burning Man. At the time he didn't even know about it and as we told him the many stories, shenanigans and what a mind blowing, fucking life altering experience it was, he quickly jumped in.
Our connection was also for the passion of art and artists. I was always blown away by his genius in all he did. His drive, mindset and no matter what hours he had to spend on anything he created it was manifested to his perfection standards. I admired that!
In 2006 while fundraising for my second kidney transplant I was going to get in Indiana, HBK (the buildings owners) donated the then vacant space behind Factory Place. I asked Mike and Deb if they could help out putting together a gallery for my silent auction. What they did was nothing short of mind-blowing and no matter what I needed he was always there to lend a hand.
Fuck Mike, I will miss you. Last time I saw you was on one of your short trips back from Bali and we had dinner at Manuela's and spend such an amazing time cracking up and planning, always planning the future. You were/are a rare creature and I was honored to call you friend, colleague, peer and to walk next to you on this plain at this time in life.

Rare are humans like him.

You sure made a stamp on this realm and thank you for being YOU and introducing me to so many great artists, humans who share the same inner spirit. You will surely be missed by many. Love you, Rest In Peace my friend.
Catch you on the flip side.

Luis Sanchez

This is the first photo of Mike and I taken at the Recency Club in Westwood 2004.

We lived in the Factory Place Lofts in downtown LA 17 years ago and were reunited during my healing adventure in Bali last year (Nov & Dec 2024) although it felt like we had only been a part for a short time. Brother vibes all the way. He and his love Aziza were so kind to show me the wonders of Bali and Java and were a major reason I fell in love with the place.
Vivid memories with him that changed my life and perspective… he and I were swimming and floating in the ocean far from the shore of Virgin Beach as we caught up on the last 10 years… the highs and lows and massive lessons of life. All leading to that very moment in the water. I listened to him as he described how he fell in love with Aziza and how much she truly meant to him and how he just wanted to love and protect her forever.

I’d hop on the back of his scooter and she would get on hers and they would drive me to restaurants and temples through beautiful fields and very very dangerous jungles. Nice roads and off road. He taught me how to ride a scooter for the first time.
I stayed in Gab’s hut next to theirs right near the ocean and at 5:30 in the morning walk through the darkness and sit on the edge of the property and watch the sun rise on the water, watching them watch it while I pet their dog.

We all went on a random adventure with Gabriel to Java where he drove us through dangerous roads trying to drive across the land but only getting half way because it was so dangerous. We saw blue flames, thousand waterfalls, almost got run over by semis. We ate amazing food and silly corner store Indonesian food.

Mike is creative and adventurous and it was amazing to see the impact he had on so many amazing people. His artwork, collaborations… he is truly an artist seeing the world in its depth and uniqueness. He Is sassy and caring, always generous in ways I don’t think most people know they can be.

Rest in peace, Or not….. enjoy the adventure wherever you are Michael. You are loved far more than you know.

Rest in peace Michael. You have taught me many things in life such as always being grateful in this life. You have made me believe that true love exists, every day at home with full enthusiasm and you are the one who can make me enthusiastic when going through a difficult day, if I am sick you are the one who takes care of me with full love. There are still many things I have to express but cannot be expressed in words. I love you so much Michael Joseph Russek ❤️

Rest in Peace Michael Russek ♡ you'll be missed!... Ugh. You legendary human.

From the endless stream of 'Mike thoughts', to the amazing projects you build or helped build, to the people you inspired on the way, and the sparkle you instigated in others; making the world around you both more fierce and playful. Never taking the status quo, always coming up with new ways to innovate and reconnect.

From our times in LA, to seeing you arrive in Indonesia and falling in love with the country - and later with Aziza ♡ - to our last December all together, really seeing you in your element; grounded as I have never seen you before, playing with your drone and crazy adventures by car over the island showing us all your favorite spots, and why you love them so much.

It's a big loss and a shock to many, and you will be missed so dearly. But your spirit and joyful mischieveous sparkly demeanor will live on in all of us that got to know you. You'll be missed by many 💥

#RIP #MikeRussek #Legend

I loved, and will always love, Michael Russek dearly. Finding someone who matched my energy, drive, and heart was rare, but with Mike I met my match… and more.

Mike was truly one of a kind. His personality, creative ideas, passion, and humor were magnetic. He was a doer, a force of nature—unstoppable, and for a long time I thought invincible. A ball of fire and light, he never stopped looking for ways to better himself and the world around him.

Mike was adventurous and spontaneous. If I said I hadn’t done something, he’d say, let’s go—especially on my birthday. For my 30th he flew us in a private plane to Catalina, and for my 33rd we crammed Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and Lake Mead into a single weekend. He even took me to my first opera. Adventures with him in Bali were magical—we were literally chasing waterfalls. He was charming and heartfelt, confident and determined to create—and to have fun.

Over the past nine months we reconnected, spending hours on the phone until one of us finally had to tap out. Just last week he told me about his excitement for Thailand, his new projects, and the mindful steps he was taking for his health. I’m devastated to see his world shattered and not ready to accept that he’s gone.

I loved that he was living life fully, chasing joy and discovery. Mike wasn’t afraid to take risks and had a way of making the impossible possible. He had a gift for turning mistakes into lessons, always looking for a way forward. He was an untamed spirit with extraordinary passion and brilliance.

I can’t believe you are gone from this plane of existence—my heart breaks. I’ll miss your laugh and the conversations we had when I’m driving home after DJ gigs. You were taken far too soon. I’m grateful you were part of my life, and I know you’ll continue to shine, but I miss you more than words can hold. Please find me in my dreams.

R.I.P

Mikey was a force of style, creativity, and optimism, always pushing the boundaries of what was possible. Over the years, he had my back through both the good times and the rough ones.

We all know that Mike could be polarizing, never afraid to speak his mind or ruffle feathers, but no one could deny the passion he brought to life. He lived much of his life at hummingbird speed, and though he was taken way to early, he managed to live more fully than most people do in their lifetimes.

I have countless memories of Mike: ups, downs, projects, relationships (!!) but one that will always stand out is from my birthday on the Eureka Sand Dunes in Death Valley. At dawn, while the rest of us walked down awkwardly, Mike strapped on a homemade sandboard, slipped into shimmering gold wings, and flew down the dunes like the beautiful madman he was.

One last story: our grandparents shared the same last name and were both New Yorkers. We never could trace back a direct family connection, but his great-grandfather used to buy suits from my great-grandfather’s tailor shop just so he could have his last name sewn inside. We laughed SO hard when we found that out.

I still can’t believe you’re gone, amigo but I’m so grateful we had time together in Bali last month. I’d say “Godspeed,” but knowing you, you’re already tearing across the cosmos on some custom-built, souped-up hovercraft.

Love you, pal 💞

I am shocked, dismayed and grieved to discover that you have left this earth plane. Your passion, your lust for life and the absolute creative force that streamed through you has left an indelible imprint on my life.
I cannot imagine the world without your vision, your energy, your unmistakable mark. You will be profoundly missed, but your spirit and your artistry will live on.
🙏🏼💔🙏🏼

This morning I received a devastating call that my dear friend and collaborator, Michael Russek, died suddenly and tragically of a heart attack while on a work trip in Thailand.
At my wedding just a couple of months ago, I asked Michael to stand at my side as one of my groomsmen, one of my wolf pack. During the ceremony, I spoke about how the men I chose to stand with me helped fill some of the void left by the death of my brother Noah when I was a child. To each of them I gave a word, an attribute that represented something they brought to my life. To Michael I gave the word heart, because that’s what he brought into every room, every relationship, every idea. And now, with his passing, I feel as if another brother has been ripped away, and the ground feels unsteady beneath me.
Michael was one of the most extraordinary creative minds I’ve ever known. He looked at the world through the lens of a true artist, always searching for beauty, always transforming scraps and throwaways into something meaningful. But what set him apart wasn’t just his vision, it was the heart that fueled it. Michael wasn’t satisfied with the status quo; he wanted the world to be better and he wanted to be part of making it so. He dreamed of turning waste into furniture, art, even temples. He imagined recycling plastic from Balinese rivers and refashioning it into something both useful and beautiful. He loved children, and imagined projects like Just Cut It Out, where festival and stage-show byproducts would become school desks.
Michael could also be polarizing. He was hurt by people who didn’t see beyond the ways we harm each other and our planet. That hurt made him judgmental and opinionated at times. And he was never afraid to speak his truth, even when it was confronting.
Over our decade-plus friendship, I held Michael through some incredibly dark times. I watched as his ego was battered, his trust eroded - through heartbreaks with work, with friends, with partners and most painfully, the estrangement from his son, that nearly broke him. But again and again, he faced the mirror and stripped away what no longer served him, even when it hurt, until he was whittled down to his essence: a brilliant mind, a big, beautiful heart, and that incredible mane of hair, wrapped in a sarong, living simply and joyfully in a small hut with his love Aziza, in a tiny Balinese village.
Michael and I spent much of this year birthing a project together, to preserve Balinese culture - born from his profound love and respect for the island and its spiritual heritage. It was the kind of collaboration I thought might last decades. And now, just like that, he is gone.
A bright light, just learning how to fully shine, has been extinguished. Michael, I will miss you forever - my friend, my brother. I believe you’ve gone to a place gentler than this world you often struggled with. A place without Instagram, without fake lips or fake smiles. A place where people care for one another and for the Earth. A place where creativity isn’t just tolerated but celebrated. I look forward to the day we meet again, when I can admire your magnificent hair and listen to you share your next wild, beautiful idea for how to make the world better than you found it.