Sonic Deep Map

http://theradius.us/episode48

Sonic Deep Map, released in 2014, by Radio Aktiv, is an hour and a half long sound piece comprised of interviews, spoken, and sonic poetry. It uses direct quotes from residents of Pyhäjoki, Finland, along with abstractions of the negative emotional reaction to the potential threat of a nuclear power plant being placed in their town, to give a voice to further articulate and organize the rejection. An industrial pulse weaves in and out of the human voices as they describe the natural beauty of their seaside town, creating a cyborg landscape to listen in.

“To produce the audio content for Sonic Deep Map, Radio Aktiv conducted interviews with local activists of the organization Pro Hanhikivi, which is led by two mothers — local community members Hanna Halmeenpää and Helena Maijala — who fight every day to stop the proposed power plant; made field recordings in the stunning seaside landscape of the Hanhikivi Cape; did group vocalization exercises — humming and screaming to conjure the rage and sadness that the threat of the power plant proffers; traveled by boat; and documented the sounds made in a Geiger counter building workshop led by Erich Berger and Martin Howes.” 

This reminds me of the rejection the residents of Nevada had (and still have) for the plans for Yucca Mountain. This piece is an example of a way artists can speak out against nuclear power, or for it. The piece is completely biased against nuclear power, but it could also be biased completely for it. I think the reason people choose to have extreme biases, particularly in this issue, is because it’s so complicated to explain the positive and negative aspects that are inherent to it.

This piece is an episode from Radius, which is “an experimental radio broadcast platform based in Chicago, IL, USA.” One of the directors of Radius, Jeff Kolar, came in to speak to one of my classes about his work. He talked about Radius, and mentioned some of the more recent works produced under it, including this. Radius is local, and active. 

http://theradius.us

-Ava Threlkel

Japan Restarting Nuclear Reactors

A man shouts in protest September 10, 2014 as Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) unanimously approves the restart of two nuclear reactors in the Sendai plant in southern Japan. Although this is a huge step towards boosting Japan's nuclear industry after the Fukushima disaster of 2011, nuclear power advocate Prime Minister Shinzo Abe faces an uphill battle as the operator, Kyushu Electric Power, still needs the approval of local authorities and the surrounding communities.

Check out this article for details on how the two reactors are the first to restart under the tighter safety regulations. For in depth details on community concerns check out this article.


-Connie C.

Radiation from Japan found in Chicago area

Trace amounts of the radioactive isotope radioiodine- 131 where found at the Dresden nuclear power plant in Morris, IL.

Meanwhile emergency drills and evaluations of all six of Illinios plants are underway.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_localchi/20110330/ts_yblog_localchi/report-radiation-from-japan-found-in-chicago-area?bouchon=602,il

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/03/23/state-officials-conduct-nuclear-crisis-drill/