Cutting the Cheese

Artist Frankie Flood has brought new life to the boring world of pizza cutters. Influenced by American motorcycles, the professor of jewelry and metalsmithing at the University of Wisconsin customizes pizza cutters like the one above, which was inspired by Mantis Choppers. His is driven by individuality and thrives on being a nonconformist, breaking away from what he perceives as traditional industrialism.

“My work investigates one of a kind objects and their role in a world based on mechanical reproduction. Industry has removed the aura from objects and stripped them of their individuality,” says Flood. “My pizza cutters seek to demolish the sterile conformity of mass produced objects and represent the stylistic and flamboyant embellishment of groups who live on the fringe of popular culture. The outlaw biker image is a break from the conformity that has taken over America since industrialization… The outlaw as defiant nonconformist, as well as social outcast, parallels being an artist who makes functional objects and being an individual who takes pride in the power of invention and skill.”

Flood, who received his Masters degree of Fine Arts in Metalsmithing from the University of Illinois, has also received grants from the George Sugarman Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council for his creative and innovative interpretations of mechanical reproduction.

                                                 Flood’s “Easy Rider” pizza cutter.