Dressing for Evacuation is the first project in a series of works titled Imagining Neutopia, which propose insights into what people may take with them into an unknown future.
The photographed subjects in this project were asked a ‘what if…?’ question and to respond to the scenario of an imminent major environmental disaster. This fictional event is set in the UK, a nation with minimal experience of ‘states of emergency’.
Imagining how we may dress and what choose to stuff our pockets in a large scale emergency evacuation, may offer insights into what we (humans) have to close to hand, value or deem as useful in the event of a major disaster, and therefore how prepared/unprepared we may be.
Dressing for Evacuation
In the middle of the night your phone receives multiple text alerts.
CIVIL EMERGENCY MESSAGE The following message is transmitted at the request of the British Government. An immediate evacuation of your location is required due to imminent environmental threat. Remain calm. You are required to go to meeting point ‘Central Cricket Pitch for 03:25 hours’ to be relocated until further notice. Bring prescription medication. You are instructed not to bring bags or bulky items. You are instructed to leave animals at home. Limit phone use as phone lines are required for emergency communication.
You have 9 minutes to leave the house and you need to get dressed.
And here’s the next ‘what if…?’ – What if these clothes and pocketed items were your only belongings for the next 20-30 years?
