PREPPERS - ART ON THE MOVE : ART ON THE MOVE

PREPPERSISBN: 978-0-6485263-3-9An ART ON THE MOVE touring exhibition.In memory of Paul Thompson.

KAYA! HELLO!ART ON THE MOVE would like to acknowledge thatAustralia’s First Peoples are the traditional custodiansof this land and we pay our respects to the Elders bothpast, present and future for their unique contributionto the cultural life of communities across Australia.Our Act-Belong-Commit Engagement Program is for everyone. Our events andactivities take place in the galleries we work with, online or at our home in Fremantleand are inspired by the artists we tour.We offer creative ways to engage with art and explore the positive impact creativitycan have on our lives.Our program includes artist talks, workshops, artist residencies and resources.Please visit artonthemove.art for more information.We work with a diverse group of artists across our exhibitions and collaborate withcreative organisations across industries to develop a wide variety of audiences forthe arts in Western Australia.Being active, having a sense of belonging and having a purpose in life all contributeto happiness and good mental health.This is an exhibition about doomsday preppers.Preppers are a subculture of people that prepare forthe collapse of society. They collect specialised survivalproducts, skills, and knowledge, both in real life andas members of online communities. Prepping is botha hobby and a world-view. It has its own aesthetics,vocabulary, and consumer objects.The prepper phenomenon is an expression of widely relatable cultural anxieties. Todaycatastrophe seems to loom on many fronts — environmental collapse, disruptivetechnology, rising political nativism, or another financial crash. Established powersystems are failing to address these great challenges.In this moment of uncertainty, preppers represent something vital. Preppersunderstand that a time of chaos is also an opportunity.The artworks in Preppers offer a proactive viewpoint on looming catastrophe bycommunicating theories of self-sufficiency, preparedness, survival and adaptation.They become vehicles for navigating an increasingly complex world, where disasterprompts a critical process of prioritising needs.The activities in this resource can be used as a guide to contextualise the relevanceof the preppers ethos. Inspiring community to engage and connect by offering toolsand ideas for prepping in a comfortable environment.KAYA: “Kaya” means “Hello” in Noongar, the language of theWadjuk people, custodians of the land from the Perth area, onwhich this learning resource is produced.Act – Do somethingBelong – Do something with someoneCommit – Do something meaningful

WHAT IS A PREPPER?Imagine you wake up tomorrow and the world asyou know it is thrown into total chaos. Would yoube ready?A key part of being prepared is recognising your own environment. For example,knowing how to forage local edible plants as a food source; or learning permaculturetechniques, a gardening approach which works with natural forces to grow plants.These are some examples of how localised knowledge could assist in a survivalsituation.The preppers world is diverse. Some build underground bunkers, which could be filledwith supplies, use solar energy or have air filtration systems. One famous prepper,Steve Huffman, had laser eye surgery to ensure his sight would not be impacted ifglasses were no longer available. He also has motorbikes and stockpiles weapons.To some, the lengths preppers go to may seem extreme, however, survival skills canbe beneficial for everyone.What would you pack if you needed to leave your home?“Toys, clothes, a camera and a special picture of me and daddy.”Kingston, 6, FremantleLoren Kronemyer, Wounded Amazon of the Capitalocene , 2019.Image courtesy Dan McCabe.While the idea of preparing for the worst might seem on the fringe, crisis is a realthreat. Many organisations also recognise the importance of being prepared in anemergency. For example, the Australian Red Cross provides online resources, suchas their “Emergency Crisis Kits”. Basic kits generally prioritise food, water, first aidand other supplies. Fire, flood, political collapse or climate crisis are just some ofthe scenarios where being prepared could make a difference.

Activity 1WHAT IS A BUG OUT BAG?YOUR BUG OUT BAGA Bug Out Bag contains all of the things you wouldneed in an emergency.Draw your items into the bag! This could bepractical but also items that are special to you.Your Bug Out Bag is a collection of survival items which can get you through thecrucial moments of an emergency. It is kept somewhere accessible and safe, in caseyou need to leave your house in a hurry.Some ideas for Bug Out Bag items include at least 3 litres of water, a water purificationsystem, protein bars, cutlery, sleeping bag, tinder or a first aid kit. What other itemsdo you think you might need?ACT Do something.Thinking about what to pack in a Bug Out Bag is a great way toengage problem solving skills. Staying mentally active improvesalertness, which is important for everyday – but even moreimportant in a survival situation!Did You Know?The average person can only survive 3-4 days without water.What would you pack if you needed to leave your home?“My favourite pillow.”Janie, 53, KalgoorlieSome disasters can impact breathable air. For example, a fire that has been in contactwith chemicals can release pollutants into the air. Still flood water often containsharmful bacteria, which carried by the wind and inhaled could pose health risks.Emergencies may require you to leave your home. Shelter can protect us fromheat, cold or dangerous animals. Without shelter, humans may find it difficult tosurvive depending on the terrain.

HOW TO M AK E YOUR OWNActivity 2PARACORD BRACELETParacord Bracelets are a super-tool for preppers,survivalists, hikers, campers or anyone who loves theoutdoors! This handy little bracelet unravels into along, powerful rope – which could be used for fishing,building shelter, tying and much more.BELONG Do something with someone.Sharing experiences aids to build a sense of belonging, which helpsyou feel good about yourself and others. Share this activity with afriend, or show someone how useful the Paracord Bracelet could be!WARNING: This activity has a step whichinvolves fire and is to be strictly performed underadult supervision.This activity might be tricky for tiny hands andis recommended for ages 8 and up.Materials Needed4mm Paracord (3 meters)Ruler, or tape measureScissorsPencilLighterThe paracord bracelet is essential prepper EDC,(Every Day Carry). The paracord bracelet is heldtogether by a special weave called the Cobra Weave.Paracord can be found atyour local camping, hardwareor sports store. If you don’thave paracord – get creative!You could use other typesof cord, such as utility cordor rope – just ensure it isroughly 4mm in diameter.01. For this activity, thelength of the cord should beroughly 3 metres. The firststep is to fold it in half.02. With a ruler, measureroughly 30cm from thebottom (where the fold is).04. Then fold the right cordOVER the left cord thenbring it UNDER. Follow thediagram above.05. Now fold the right cordover the front of both cordsand feed it through the loopthat was created in step 3.Once you have chosen yourmaterial, let’s get started!03. Now we can start theCobra Weave! Wrap the leftcord around the back.

What do you do to help yourself and your familyprepare for an uncertain future?“Self Defence, how to build tents and fires, wilderness skills.”Eve, 23, Kalgoorlie06. Slowly tighten the loopsby gently pulling the ends ofthe paracord until it is niceand snug.07. This time we are goingto start with the right cord.Feed it round the back andover the left cord.08. Now grab the left cordand guide it over andthrough the loop created onthe right in step 7.12. Pull tight. There you go!Looking good!13. Repeat with the right.Take the right cord round theback and over the left cord.14. Now take the left cordover the middle and feed itthrough the loop onthe right.09. Slowly tighten the loopsagain by gently pulling theends of the paracord until itis nice and snug.10. Then back to the left!Take the left cord, guide itround the back and over theright cord.11. Take the right cord andfeed it back through the loopon the left.15. Pull tight. Looking great!Don’t worry if it takes youa few turns, practice makesperfect. It might also takea little while to find theright tension.16. Now alternate sides untilthe weave is long enoughto wrap around your wrist.Everyone is different so checkas you go. When you get tothe right length, pull theends tight.17. This step requires anadult’s help. Ask an adult tocut the ends that you havebeen weaving, about 5mmfrom where it pops out(very close to the weave).

Wow ! Now you have a Cobra WeaveParacord Bracelet. Having a few metres ofcord on your wrist at all times is handy, younever know when you might need it!Lighter18. Ask an adult to heat upthe loose paracord ends witha flame (such as a lighter)until it’s melted, and thenpress the melted plastic witha utensil or the metal part ofthe lighter. Don’t use yourfingers! It will be very hot!Repeat on the other side.Now you are ready for thenext step!19. Once the weave is secured,cut the loop in the middle sothe lengths are the same.21. Then on each side feedthrough the ends of the cordthat were prepared in step 19.22. Your bracelet should looklike this.Almost done!You could ask an adult tomelt the tips of these so theparacord won’t unravel.Don’t worry if you can’t meltthe ends.20. Find the first loop that weput in the paracord from step4. Using a pencil, gently openup the first loop so there isenough room to pass theparacord through. Repeat onthe other side.23. Now with both ends fedthrough the paracord weave,tie the two ends together.There are lots of differentknot you can do. Maybe youcould ask a friend to teachyou one. Cut off the excess.What is your best skill or character trait that would help you survive?“My love and squeezy cuddles.”Jack Clark, 3, Port Hedland

What are other ways you could prepare your mind?Use this space to draw or write anything that makesyou feel safe or happy.Activity 3PREPARING YOUR MINDWhile preparing survival kits to assist in an emergency isa practical activity, preparing your mind is also a usefultool. The calmer you are, the more mentally preparedyou will be to cope during scary or stressful situations.There are many techniques which can aid in managing thoughts and feelings.One method is to practice slow breathing. This is a way to “tune in” to the world,by paying attention to the present moment. Focusing on positive thoughts, andpositive self-talk, can be calming and therefore useful during overwhelming periods.COMMIT Do something meaningful!Practicing slow breathing is a practical activity which positivelycontributes to overall mental health and wellbeing. This improvesresilience and helps maintain perspective during stressful periods.To practice slow breathing:Get comfortableTake a deep breath in and let your belly fill with airBreathe out slowlyRepeat this breathing 3 to 10 timesDo you feel more relaxed?