Nearly eighty years after the detonation of the world’s first atomic bomb, the global threat dealt by nuclear weapons lurches perilously forward. Trinity, Then and Now brings into focus and proximity the grave impact of what is considered the first significant radiological event–the Trinity atomic bomb test on July 16, 1945 in the desert of New Mexico–with reflections on its continued ecological, physiological and psychological toll.
The Grebel Gallery is pleased to present a selection of three works from Mary Kavanagh’s solo exhibition, Daughters of Uranium1 following her decade-long investigation into the veiled history of nuclear armament. Derived from the chemical sciences, the term “daughters of uranium” refers to the radioactive decay chain of naturally occurring Uranium (U-235 being the crucial element for sustaining a nuclear chain reaction) while evoking generations born into an uncertain future. Rich with scientific, literary, and historical references, the exhibition is conceptualized as a series of “chapters” that encourages a certain interpretive agency, while reflecting on the continuum of 20th and 21st century war.
The exhibition will be featured in the Grebel Gallery until February 28, 2024. Visitors are invited to drop in to see Trinity, Then and Now during the gallery’s regular hours, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Fridays. Questions, feedback, or group inquiries should be directed to Centre for Peace Advancement Coordinator Fatoumatta Camara (cpacoordinator@uwaterloo.ca).
The Gallery will be hosting Mary Kavanagh on November 8 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm for a public meet and greet, following Community Supper. Opportunities to engage with her during this time will be publicized in the coming weeks.