“Break in case of emergency is a fire axe, an iconic tool for rescue and emergency response. Encased behind glass, the axe replicates emergency response stations within institutional spaces. Regardless of the care used to break the glass, the porcelain axe inside will be damaged or broken; the tool for response proves to be fragile and purely decorative. As if to reinforce the fragility of the material, the axe is glazed with a crackle finish suggesting breakage of the form. These objects speak to the restriction of Indigenous sovereignty by settler governments and institutions, and the limitations placed on our communities to respond to crises.”

— Nicholas Galanin on Break in case of emergency