in the woods
The Survival Architect Assessing Wildfire Risk, 1 (2024)
The Survival Architect Assessing Wildfire Risk, 3A (2024)
The Survival Architect Assessing Wildfire Risk, 3B (2024)
The Survival Architect Assessing Wildfire Risk, 2 (2024)
The Survival Architect Assessing Wildfire Risk, 4 (2024)
The Survival Architect Assessing Wildfire Risk, 5 (2024)
The Survival Architect Assessing Wildfire Risk, 6A (2024)
The Survival Architect Assessing Wildfire Risk, 6B (2024)
The Survival Architect Assessing Wildfire Risk, 7 (2024)
About the Series
The Survival Architect is a persona I perform. And the above series of photographs frame them noticing dry, dead, and downed trees, which increase a forest’s vulnerability to wildfires. To view images that highlight what the character does next, follow this link.
I designed and created the clothing and also perform and photograph the character. I refer to the clothing imaged in the above series as the Survival Architect’s base layer. And, with the exception of the boot covers, these wearables are made using a heat resistant fabric.
This footage was shot in Nova Scotia, CAN which was impacted by hurricane Fiona in 2022. Fiona caused a great deal of damage to forests as well as personal property across the province. As oceans continue to warm, more severe storms are traveling further north. And the damage these storms cause to forests increase their risk to wildfires. In fact, in 2023, Nova Scotia had its worst wildfire seasons in recorded history. Further to that, typically after wildfires, there is a greater risk of flooding, given, when it rains, there is little to no vegetation to retain the water and so the water rushes off swiftly causing an increased risk of flash floods. Perhaps not surprisingly, there were several flash flood incidents in NS last year following the wildfires.
With Thanks
Created with support from a First Year Assistant Professor Grant, awarded by the Office of Research at Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL.