07.10.2021  •  Editorial NEWS

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‘Waste in Gorleben’ – Volker WENZLAWSKI c/o SOLAR UND FOTOGRAFEN investigates the nuclear waste repository, long contested and ultimately never realized, for the agency’s own magazine RELEVANZ

“When I ask my friends what Gorleben and nuclear waste is all about, almost everyone remembers the transport of radioactive material. Which is not surprising : The thirteen transports from 1995 to 2011 took place under massive protest of anti-nuclear activists. Up to 30,000 police officers were on duty to secure the transport, and spectacular images went through the media.

The fact that not one of the 113 waste containers is stored in the salt dome in Gorleben, however, is lesser known. The exploration mine is merely a 1.6 billion euro underground industrial ruin, which is not suitable for the long-term storage of nuclear waste. In September 2020, the salt dome was finally eliminated from the search for permanent storage sites after 40 years of protest – with an argument, by the way, which was already stated in an expert’s report from 1983 : The underground cap rock does not provide adequate protection against water intrusion.

The high-level radioactive waste is stored above ground in a cement hall. Where it will be stored in the future is still uncertain – because there are no permanent storage sites for high-level radioactive nuclear waste. Neither in Germany nor anywhere else. A fact of particular relevance in light of the current discussion of nuclear energy as an environmentally friendly bridging technology.

The photos present an investigative take on Wendland, where a forest trail connects the three sites : The interim storage facility with the aforementioned hall, also referred to by locals as the “potato barn”, the exploration mine and, at the southernmost part, a piece of land which was once the Free Republic of Wendland. Founded in 1980 as a community of protest on Site 1004, the village was cleared by 3500 police officers and boarder guards after only 33 days, then leveled and asphalted to enable exploration drilling.

What remains today are only asphalt and a neglected pine forest. On the surface. Below are still artifacts which bear witness to the time : Modern archeologist Attila Dézsi excavated a hut and a waste pit of the police on the grounds. Two excavations have unearthed approximately 450 individual objects. The majority of objects found in good condition are items which belonged to police forces. Made mostly of plastic or other non-biodegradable materials, they have survived the almost 40 years underground better than the huts and remnants of occupants mainly made of organic materials.

The green Wenden passports of the Free Republic of Wendland are still being issued, by the way. A proud owner : Edward Snowden. The coat of arms of the Republic, the orange Wendland sun on a green background, remains a symbol of resistance to this day.

SOLAR UND FOTOGRAFEN tells us about the agency’s own magazine : “What it’s all about? We probably all ask ourselves this question from time to time, and over the course of the past one and a half years, perhaps more than ever. And sometimes the search for answers only leads to further questions. In this case : What is important? What are we concerned about most? What moves us and shakes us? What is of relevance?

One thing that certainly counts for our photographers : all things visual. Which is why, at the beginning of the year, we decided at SOLAR UND FOTOGRAFEN to compile the answers to these questions in a magazine. However, not featuring the umpteenth advertising photo, but instead authentic images, and with topics of individual relevance. Almost nine months later, we have the result.

Up until the last minute, we made final adjustments, discussed and criticized, argued over individual words, replaced photos and looked for a title. Some of the spreads are very personal, others unique pieces of art. Many articles are about social topics, while others are focused on our own lives. Some photographers dare to venture into new areas of photographic design, while others remain true to their style. What all works have in common : They are created with lots of heart and soul, commitment, and are of utmost relevance.

This gives you a glimpse behind the curtain of SOLAR UND FOTOGRAFEN, behind the sign with the big letters and off the beaten track of day-to-day advertising. We invite you to take a moment. See and read what photographers Walter Glöckle, Jens Neumann and Edgar Rodtmann, Karsten Wegener, Volker Wenzlawski, Arthur Mebius, Lina Grün, Anne Deppe, Christian Kerber, Jonas Nefzger and Florian Büttner are truly all about. Enjoy ! GoSee : solarundfotografen.com//relevanz

 
Featuring: GoSee EDITORIAL+1
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