P1xels: Alpha Beta Gamma

Overview

A photography, light, sound and dodgem car experience will take over a secret Melbourne location this month when local photographer p1xels unveils Alpha Beta Gamma. Running from August 9–16, the immersive exhibition will transport visitors to the site of Ukraine's 1986 Chernobyl disaster (without the radiation, of course).

The artist visited the site of this well-known nuclear explosion in June (and even spent the night there). Located near the city of Pripyat, the disaster took place at the height of the Cold War. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from a 30-kilometre radius to the plant, and this 'exclusion zone' is still one of the most radioactively contaminated areas in the world — with scientists expecting it to remain uninhabitable for a whopping 20,000 years.

The photography on display in Alpha Beta Gamma examines nature's reclamation of the deserted town. Alongside the photographs, visitors will walk through a dodgem car installation — which mimics the images from Pripyat's abandoned amusement park — and be immersed in a light and sound show that will make you feel as if you are standing inside the exclusion zone.

There'll also be a pop-up bar, so you can sip a beer or wine while exploring the immersive exhibition. If you've been extra curious about the nuclear disaster since binge-watching HBO's chilling series Chernobyl, this may be the exhibition for you.

The exhibition is free to the public, however you must register over here or follow @p1xels to find the secret location — which will be released 24 hours prior to opening night on Friday, August 6 at 6pm.