Artifacts from The Desert and The Impossible Search for The Atomic Device

Artifacts from the Desert and the Impossible Search for The Atomic Device is an ongoing body of work looking at the relationship between the inhabitants of Southern California's desert regions, the area’s history with atomic testing, and the lingering psychological “presence” of the Hiroshima prototype device. The impossibility of the search refers both to the fact that no physical remains exist of the test, and to the understanding that photography exists beyond representation.

I have spent many years working on the desert landscape in the area of the Salton Sea and have developed a strong connection with the land and its inhabitants. All work is done on 8x10 film (color and B&W) processed and printed in my studio. The physicality of the large format and the full control over the entire process allows the work to “suffer” form the harsh desert environment. The final Silver Gelatin and C-Type prints will be printed in a variety of sizes, from 8x10 inch contact prints to 32x40 inch enlargements, in order to create a more dynamic viewing experience.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Desert landscape approximately 7.8 miles from test site.
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Desert landscape approximately 7.8 miles from test site.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Untitled I.
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Untitled I.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Untitled III.
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Untitled III.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Dust emerging from crater-like hole.
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Dust emerging from crater-like hole.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Abandoned Navy bunker at test site.
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Abandoned Navy bunker at test site.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Tree lined driveway and home approximately 15.3 miles from test site.
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Tree lined driveway and home approximately 15.3 miles from test site.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Untitled II.
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Untitled II.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Landscape and Marine.
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Landscape and Marine.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Community antennas. Salton Sea Beach, CA.
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Community antennas. Salton Sea Beach, CA.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Fac Simile of J. Robert Oppenheimer.
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Fac Simile of J. Robert Oppenheimer.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Child in emergency blanket in proximity of test site.
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Child in emergency blanket in proximity of test site.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Fac Simile of Socrates.
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Fac Simile of Socrates.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Mounds of burning soil approximately 15.1 miles from test site.
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Mounds of burning soil approximately 15.1 miles from test site.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Trinity.
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Trinity.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Desert landscapes approximately 7 miles from test site.
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Desert landscapes approximately 7 miles from test site.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Desert Canyon.
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Desert Canyon.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Circular shape and oval shadow.
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Circular shape and oval shadow.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Desert Landscape.
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Desert Landscape.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Burned down home approximately 23.6 miles from test site. Salton Sea Beach, CA.
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Burned down home approximately 23.6 miles from test site. Salton Sea Beach, CA.

© Nicholas Albrecht - Circular light in canyon.
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Circular light in canyon.

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