CLAREMONT, Calif. — The feminist collective Slow War Against the Nuclear State, known as SWANS, emerged from a fortuitous gathering. In 2022, feminist artist Nancy Buchanan from Los Angeles hosted a dinner to discuss nuclear politics, igniting an ongoing series of meetings. The group comprises seven artists and academics spanning three generations, with some members having parents involved in atomic weapon development, while others had parents who were anti-nuclear activists. The exhibition Atomic Dragons at Pitzer College Art Galleries showcases work from all members, examining photography’s involvement in nuclear weapons development and the subsequent human impact.
The exhibition thrives on the collective’s engagement with nuclear politics, touching on themes of spectacle, memory, and survival. It highlights experimental photography, particularly the role of the photographic industry, including Eastman Kodak, in aiding U.S. government nuclear tests by creating specialized cameras for explosion capture. elin o’Hara slavick’s pieces, “Hiroshima Flowers” and “Lingering Radiation” (both 2008), present haunting images using cyanotype and autoradiograph techniques, focusing on the lingering effects of nuclear catastrophes rather than the immediate destruction.
SWANS members delve into the ethical considerations of nuclear technology, addressing the fear-driven development race and its ramifications for contributors. Sheila Pinkel’s “Nuclear Questions” (1985) poses critical inquiries about the dangers of a nuclear world: “Are we afraid of one another? Is fear our gross national product?” Nancy Buchanan transforms the iconic mushroom cloud into a Cold War emblem, embedding figures like Ronald Reagan and symbolically charged images within its toxic swirls.
Atomic Dragons concludes with a display of archival items, featuring objects from exclusion zones collected by o’Hara slavick. A poignant certificate from the War Department, acknowledging the contributions of SWANS member Judith Dancoff’s father, marks the date of Hiroshima’s bombing on August 6, 1945. This document highlights the enduring impact of nuclear warfare and resonates with recent events, as the U.S. and Israel’s attacks on Iran during the exhibition’s run have resulted in significant casualties and displacement.
The exhibition is a masterful curation that intertwines personal and political narratives. The artists and curator have created a platform for discourse on contemporary nuclear issues, culminating in a symposium on April 4, the exhibition’s closing day. Atomic Dragons emphasizes the ongoing necessity of the Slow War Against the Nuclear State, underscoring the need for continuous dialogue and activism.
