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Short abstract:

This paper delves into the concept of “belief” in relation to the construction of deep repositories for the storage of radioactive waste. The artistic research presents a re-interpretation of rituals as a method to reach an “affective” understanding of radioactive contamination.

Long abstract:

This paper delves into the concept of “belief” in relation to the construction of deep repositories for the storage of radioactive waste, such as the Onkalo repository in Finland.

The paper provides historical examples of how the scientific discourse has developed entangled with religion in specific and belief in general, and how “myth” and “belief” have influenced plans for the transmission of long-term messages about the danger of encountering buried radioactive contaminants in deep repository sites.

Following Weber’s famous claim that Western modernity has been disenchanted, the paper looks at theories of re-enchantment as a way to reach an “affective” understanding of radioactive contamination.

My artistic research “Archetypes of Contamination” uses a re-interpretation of rituals to look at how myth and belief may interfere with the creation of personal and collective realities, with a focus on radioactive contamination.

It unfolds at the intersection between new materialist theories and artistic research, by producing systematic attempts at challenging what is deemed as “true” or considered “possible” through artistic practice.

The explored questions are: What role does “belief” play in shaping personal and collective realities? What possible myth or archetype can relate to the transmission of long-term messages about the radioactive danger?