The Stronghold is ongoing project based on concepts of survival and self-reliance.
This was the first incarnation Inka Hoots Stronghold project. The structure was built to support two people for long periods of time. We took into consideration the physical and mental needs a person would need for surviving long stretches of time in a hostile environment.
The ground level of the stronghold was equipped with a pirate radio station, kitchenette, sleeping quarters, a functioning drawbridge, a library of records, CD's, tapes, and encyclopedias, as well as first aid cabinet. The mantel above the stairway was adorned with a gold framed survival knife.
The Kitchenette was complete with a "ration cupboard" contain a month supply of canned goods, ravioli, peas and carrots, PBR, protein powder, and a can of turkey chili. The Kitchen also contained a "DIY Mr. Coffee" built from a heating coil and plumbing parts. The "George Foreman Fallout Grill" also was part of the Kitchen.
Opposite of the Kitchenette was a pirate radio station that was built from electronic stereo equipment that was scavenged from the SF dump, and reconfigured to broadcast a 24 hour radio transmission throughout the surrounding space. Guest DJ's were invited to host radio shows, as well as a live performance by "Nuclear Death Wish".
The Second level of the Stronghold contained a Toilet made from a lazyboy, surveillance units, a medicine cabinet, playboy collection, a shrine to the vulture god, a deck to the rat eradication deployment unit and the RatHunter 3000
The battle between the Stronghold and the rats will be explained in a forthcoming post, which will also cover the Molotov Cocktail Party, 11th hour video club, nuclear winter rat making station, and the ratipult.
In the Summer of 2011, InkaHoots was asked to build a Stronghold at the DiRosa Preserve as part of the Zombie Proof House exhibit. The crew, wanting to explore the concept of camouflage, decided to build a survival shelter disguised as a plane crash. Made from found lumber, cardboard and old canvas billboards, the stronghold:fight or flight contained some new features like a nitro-powered rat hunter:2, various surveillance tools, and a micro powered radio station that broadcasted transmissions into the Vulture Shine/Outhouse. As part of the exhibit the Inka Hoots team filmed a zombie movie in collaboration with the students of the Oxbow School Summer camp. The Stronghold: Fight or Flight was built over the coarse of 3 weeks as part of the DiRosa residency program. Joel and Josh were hosted by some of nicest people in Napa.
