46th Annual Churchrock Uranium Spill Commemoration

On July 19, we commemorated the 46th anniversary of the largest uranium spill in history at Church Rock, NM with the Red Water Pond Road Community Association. Through a special photographic processing method called cyanotype, we gathered with all ages to explore the history and science of radiation when used as either a tool for harm and contamination (i.e. the spill in 1979 or the remaining 500+ abandoned uranium mines on Navajo land) or for beauty and art like we see in some of following photos.

It was an amazing weekend full of love, belonging, and connection to land and only made possible by the rockstar organizer and now dear friend @terrykeyanna. This project so classically represents the elements that first drew me towards working with Lovely and Bombshelltoe: an overlap of multitude and diverse specializations (nuclear weapons and technologies, art, community, accessibility, environmental degradation and remediation, history, policy, even theories of knowledge and understanding) and an astounding overlap of community ties and cross-demographic solidarity (MFA classmates, nuclear policy wonks, disarmament advocacy colleagues, nuclear-impacted communities, neighbors, friends, and even a dog).