The Borden Boys (Christian Delano Borden and David Buckley Borden) explore a tongue-in-cheek survival scenario of environmental collapse through the lens of “prepper culture” with a series of bricolage sculptures. In step with the prepper ethos, the creative attitude is equal parts scarcity and resiliency. The handmade works are created from recycled wood, metal, plastics, and other common materials and household items. The functioning objects could help one survive in the event of ecological catastrophe and subsequent societal collapse. The artwork is intended to challenge folks to consider their own individual potential in a degraded landscape with a radically reduced carrying capacity for humans. Ultimately, the artwork is a call for proactive mass mobilization in the throes of our escalating earth crisis. 

The 2019 Borden brothers’ long-distance collaboration between Portland, ME and Cambridge, MA included text messages, emails, phone conversations, and two in-person production sessions. Otherwise, sculptures and materials were exchanged via the ol’ fashioned United States Postal Service.

The Borden Boys’ Camp Bug Out Pack debuted at the Distillery Gallery in South Boston as part of the Dear So and So penpal art exhibition curated by Helen Popinchalk and Mary Lewey in December, 2019.

The Camp Bug Out Pack includes: Camp Stove For One, Crap Creek Paddle, Downeast Home Hatchet, Fish Jam, David’s Bowie Knife, Signal Mits and Patches, and Our Dear Slingshot.

Learn more about The Borden Boys here.