Princesses Against Plutonium, Nuclear Test Site, Nevada 1988

Richard Misrach made “Princesses Against Plutonium, Nuclear Test Site, Nevada” using photographic materials and processes. The image depicts figures in Tyvek suits, a synthetic material now ubiquitous in industries where protection from particulate matter is needed. Here, the uniformity and disposability of the material speak to the social context of the Nevada Test Site – a landscape poisoned by the imperatives of twentieth-century warfare. The suits and masks, while designed for protection, also create a sense of alienation, obscuring individuality and highlighting the environmental dangers. The image evokes the labor and politics involved in nuclear testing. By using photography, Misrach invites us to consider the ethics of representation in the face of environmental and social issues, emphasizing the interconnectedness of materials, making, and the broader world. It challenges conventional hierarchies between art and activism, urging viewers to recognize the profound impact of human actions on the planet.