BACKGROUND STORY

35 years ago, on the night of April 26, 1986, at 1:23 a.m., the Chernobyl super accident occurred, which drove mankind to the brink of the abyss and whose effects are still felt today.

My interest in the disaster began long before I came to photography.
Because in general I’ve always had a bizarre fondness for meaningful and post-apocalyptic places, especially in combination with tragic events.

In addition, of course, there is my basic passion for abandoned places and the legacies of the USSR. All these links led to a really deep connection to this area. So it was only a matter of time before one day I would visit the restricted zone.
In 2016, it finally happened for the first time- and since then I have fallen for the fascination.

Over time, I experienced some unforgettable moments there, met wonderful people and enjoyed the time and tranquility. I hope to experience more visits there to capture every corner of the Ukrainian and Belarusian exclusion zone in pictures.

A dream of mine is to one day publish a book about the Chernobyl exclusion zone to show the full spectrum of my photographs and make them available to people. Also because nobody knows how long it will be possible to show the places in this condition. The substance of the buildings has deteriorated considerably in recent years and several forest fires have already destroyed unique villages and places.

Unfortunately, it is only a matter of time before nothing will be left to see or an unfiltered view of this place will no longer be possible.

ABOUT THE NFT PROJECT

The idea for this series was born during my first visit to the restricted zone. I realized that this is one of the most important places in the recent history of mankind and soon there will not be much left of it.

It is not only the place where the end of the nuclear age and the Soviet Union was initiated, but also a place where you can perfectly see how quickly nature and wildlife recover when we humans leave them alone. Moreover, it is also a time capsule of a world power that has disappeared.
That’s why it was important to give the series the look of the Soviet Union in your mind. Sober, desolate, brutal.

In terms of content, it should show a cross-section of history, decay and nature and also include thematic collectibles such as: Pripyat Gyms, The Classes of 1986, Woodpecker, Survivors, etc.