The Beauty of Evil

Emergency equipment

Wars are hideous. As long as they continue to exist, people will kill, die, flee, starve, and suffer. People, animals, nature, and cultures will be destroyed. Societies will remain traumatized for generations. The arms industry is perpetually developing more sophisticated ways to kill, as well as more creative ways to survive. Seductively beautiful though it is, design for combat also exudes all the horror of war.

Text: Lisa Peres, Antje Mayer-Salvi, Fotos: Heide-Marie Mayer, Lisa Peres, Sammlung: Wolfgang Mayer

Photography Social

Gas Jacket (World War II, Germany): A “gas mask” for toddlers. Because their lungs are not yet fully developed, this jacket supplies small children with filtered breathing air by means of a bellows.

Seawater Desalinator (US-Army): survival kit for flying personnel

Gas Mask for Horses (World War II, Germany): for horses trained to serve in combat

Personal Effects Bag (Vietnam War, US Army): For the safekeeping of personal effects belonging to deceased combatants until they can be presented to their family or wife (widow).

Resuscitation Equipment (German Armed Forces): artificial, automatic respiration device for use in the field, including fittings and oxygen tank, stowed in aluminum case

Drinking Water Emergency Reserve (German Armed Forces): Sterile drinking water that will remain potable for many years.

Surgical Instruments (German Armed Forces) for operations

Flight Helmet (Russian): For use in the MiG-21 supersonic fighter jet. Radio and oxygen are supplied via the aircraft systems.

This photo series was published in the print edition #2 “The Beauty Issue”. You can order the magazine in our SHOP.

The items are from the collection of Wolfgang Mayer.