April 26, 2020
In this prescient work from 1978, Maryland Institute College of Art student, Peter Liebhold, imagines a dystopian post-apocalyptic world where holiday celebrations continue. Drawing upon memories of Cold War fears and “duck and cover” drills, Liebhold photographs a traditional Easter egg hunt made possible by donning personal protective gear – a 1950s civil defense fallout suit. The ironic presentation of Easter – the symbol of rebirth – is emphasized by interrupting the pastoral landscape with gaudy plastic flowers and an inflatable rabbit.
