Catalogue Number
NMLH.2024.48.1
Object Name
Bag
Title
'Official Citizens Survival Bag. Not to be issued to members of H.M. government, armed forces or police.'
Place
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Description
A brown paper bag covered in printed text in black and red. The front says 'Official Citizens Survival Bag. Not to be issued to members of H.M. government, armed forces or police' and has a cut out section labeled 'A' in the shape of a pair of lips. The back says ''In the event of nuclear attack. 1. Place bag over head. 2. Put fingers in ears. 3. Face the other way. 4. Cut out shape A. 5. Kiss your loved ones goodbye. Guarantee: if this bag fails during a nuclear attack we will gladly replace it free of charge.'
This bag was created as part of a protest against nuclear weapons in George Square, Edinburgh to illustrate the impact of a nuclear attack. It uses humour to address the issue of nuclear annihilation, with it's tongue in cheek guarantee to replace the bag if it doesn't protect the user from a nuclear attack. The protest was a 'die in' where protestors lie down, occupying space in public to provide a visual reference for the impact mass death would have on society. This can be helpful for making people aware of the impact the loss of a large number of people would have on society, as the human mind can struggle to conceptualise this in the abstract.
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