“Atomic Overlook” is a series of photomontages that blend 1950’s atomic bomb tests with 21st century tourism. On the surface this series seeks to remind us of the ongoing nuclear threat, yet beyond the sensational juxtapositions there are many other layers of meaning.
Concepts of voyeurism, catastrophe as spectacle, desensitization to media, pollution, technology, tourism and the frustration of global issues beyond our control are all implied within the photos.
It is this complex mix of art and social issues infused with dark humor that helped “Atomic Overlook” go “viral” online in 2012. The series was initially featured on the fine art blog Lenscratch.com and soon began to spread worldwide. At first only a handful of art and photography blogs re-posted the images, but the web hits steadily increased and soon technology and mass media blogs such as Wired Online and Gizmodo featured the series. That seemed to be the tipping point when it was seemingly washed into the mainstream news cycle. The European media were the most interested and the series was published in newspapers across Germany, France, England, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and the UK.  Web searches also revealed that the series was even published, without permission, in the print and web editions of Pakistan’s The Nation. Additional, more considerate attention was given by the CTBTO (Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization), based out of of the United Nations in Vienna, by acknowledging the series in their newsletter.