Eden NE’s Paul Abraitis is proud to have provided a chapter to the Cumbrian Alchemy book on the natural history of radioactivity in Cumbria. The book is part of the Cumbrian Alchemy project by New York artist Bryan McGovern Wilson and University of Cumbria professor of fine art Robert Williams. The project was an ambitious contemporary art project which aimed to explore the relationship between the nuclear, mining and renewables industry of Cumbria, with the landscape archaeology and folklore of North Lancashire and Cumbria. In support of Paul and the project curators, Hannah attended a recent lecture given by author Robert Williams. The lecture highlighted the importance of maintaining records, knowledge and memory for a long term nuclear repository. Particular emphasis was placed on the preservation of language for the transmission of knowledge over deep time futures. The lecture also showcased the artwork featured in the book by Bryan McGovern Wilson as well as animations by Japanese artist Isao Hashimoto. It is hoped that these pieces will help preserve the memory of nuclear facilities over timescales that transcend time beyond human lifespans.

The Cumbrian Alchemy project has been exhibited throughout the UK and was featured alongside the Nuclear Cultures, Perpetual Uncertainty Exhibition in Sweden by Dr Ele Carpenter. Preservation of the memory of a nuclear repository over very long timescales is also an interest of Eden NE’s Shelly Mobbs who has supported Ele Carpenter’s work on Nuclear Culture for several years.

Robert and Bryan hope that their project will stimulate many more conversations on how we can communicate to people where our radioactive waste is stored 100 000 years from now.