The Tiny Post-Apocalyptic Worlds of Nix & Gerber

Lori Nix and Kathleen Gerber are artists who create detailed dioramas of apocalyptic futures. James Burke writes to us from the not-so-distant future to let us know how they’re faring in an apocalyptic world that is much bigger than the ones they used to make for themselves.

For over 14 years, Brooklyn-based artists Lori Nix and Kathleen Gerber created intricately detailed dioramas. Before The Event they were featured in various ad campaigns and gallery showings. Before the net went down they even had their own website.

I used to have so much difficulty moving through the rubble. Glass shards and rebars are no longer the anxieties I harbor, as I long ago gave up my fear of tetanus. I’m just glad the rent, just as everything else, has really plummeted in Brooklyn.

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I’d reckon I see them every few months. Same building now half blown to pieces, and same workshop they had during the better days.

They said before the event they used to make little post-apocalyptic scenes just like the ones we’re now all too accustomed to wandering through.

I guess they don’t need to do dioramas like that anymore. Their recent works are far more optimistic.

Lori Nix and Kathleen Gerber are pleasant if not cautiously reserved. So much of nature has crawled its way back into York of old, I can only imagine what keeps them “indoors.” Gotta keep your wits I ’spose.

Their latest piece is an elegant old brownstone, all pristine and carefully made. Every miniature ’zine, toothbrush, and sofa carefully rendered to pre-dust era glory. It’s so pleasant to just get lost in their scenes and remember the good days. I’m sure they do too, but I’d never bothered asking.

Lori and Kathleen said they’d do something different for their next series. I can tell they’re ready as that most recent diorama lies discarded on the crumbled street corner, in the trash pile that never gets collected. It just sits there in the overcast sky; it’d probably waft more if there were any sun left to refract through the post-nuclear dust.

Well, ’bout time I trek south ways. Too cold for my liking, but Lori and Kathleen seem to have plenty to kindle. If you ever see ’em, say Robert Hall says hello.