Photographer Alastair Philip Wiper gives us a fascinating look at a truly one-of-a-kind underground bunker, located outside of Las Vegas. Created and built in 1978 by millionaire Jerry Henderson, the fallout shelter has been decorated in an over-the-top kitsch manner, including fake pine trees, pink shag carpeting, and copious numbers of chandeliers.
Stretching over 15,000 square feet, the massive shelter includes a four-hole putting green, swimming pool, multiple hot tubs, and a dance floor. Henderson was a major proponent of underground living, and it clearly shows in the shelter that was built.
The bizarre and at times spooky shelter is nevertheless a thing of wonder, and Wiper does an admirable job showcasing the space in a favorable and professional light. Feeling both like a portrait of unusual Americana and a time capsule back to the 1970s, we’re struck by the photography that gives us a glimpse of this unique underground dwelling.
See more of Alastair Philip Wiper’s work on his website.
Images © Copyright Alastair Philip Wiper. Used with artist’s permission.
Nuclear fallout shelter, Las Vegas.
Built by eccentric millionaire Jerry Henderson in 1978, this 1,400 m2 underground house comes complete with artificial trees, faux rocks, lighting to simulate different times of day, and life-like scenery painted to resemble views from Jerry’s other houses around the world.
It looks like Jerry liked to party – the house has a swimming pool, two hot tubs, a dancefloor (with pole!), a four-hole putting green, a bar, a barbecue and a sauna. Jerry lived in the house with his wife, Mary, for five years until he died in 1983.
Now the house is owned by an organisation called the Church of Perpetual Life, whose purpose is to extend human life and cryogenically freeze bodies and order to bring them back to life when science allows it. Yep.
Part of a long-term project I am working on called “How We Learned to Stop Worrying”.
-Alastair Philip Wiper
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