Uranium mining VS Nuclear art
Texten finns bara tillgänglig på engelska.
Once again, Sweden is considering nuclear power as a future energy source. Allowing domestic uranium mining, from January 2026, has created great hopes for nuclear power and Sweden’s future electricity supply, but also strong concerns for the environment and the impact on residents in affected areas.
Sweden has a history of previous domestic uranium mining, Ranstadsverket 1965-1969. The narrative surrounding the issue at the time revolved around the importance of quick decisions and immediate action. Today’s narrative and arguments once again emphasizes urgency over contemplation and historical consciousness.
To contribute to narrative and historical consciousness of the issue, I have driven a billboard trailer from the remains of the Ranstadsverket, a part of Swedish nuclear history, to the potential future mining sites in Oviken – a distance of 720 km. The texts on the billboards move across different tenses and connect the past with the present in a way that provides perspective on the future. In addition to connecting the two sites in time and space, this ambulating artistic engagement situates Oviken and the local population in a context of significance from a Swedish historical uranium mining perspective.
Johan Sandler is a trained architect and a student at HDK-Valand’s master’s program in fine arts. Using participatory and site-responsive sculptures, or rather structures, he explores how artistic strategies and methods can engage with various issues and, if possible, have some form of impact.