1945–1998 is a piece created by Isao Hashimoto showing a time-lapse of every nuclear explosion between 1945 and 1998.[1][2][3][4]

1945–1998
The piece on display at the United Nations headquarters
The piece on display at the United Nations headquarters
Based on
Nuclear Explosions 1945-1998
by
  • Nils-Olov Bergkvist
  • Ragnhild Ferm
Produced byIsao Hashimoto
Release date
  • 2003 (2003)
Running time
14 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageEnglish

Contents

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The piece begins with the two nuclear explosions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The United States conducts several nuclear tests after the war. The Soviet Union and United Kingdom then gain nuclear weapons, increasing the number of explosions.[5][6] The piece continues until it gets to Pakistan's first nuclear test in 1998.[7] The total number of weapons detonated is 2053.[8]

The piece used sound and light to startle the viewer.[9] Months (measured in seconds) are represented by a sound.[10] When a nuclear explosion occurs, a musical sound plays.[11] Different countries have different tones, which sometimes results in a polyphonic composition,[11] overwhelming the viewer.

Reception

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The piece is generally well received. The piece is praised for conveying the costs a nuclear war would cause.[2] The piece has been described as "eerie",[7] "scary",[12] and "terrifying".[13]

References

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  1. ^ Stahler, Kevin. "Hashimoto's Visual History of the Nuclear Era". pile.com. Peterson Institute for International Economics. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b Kutchesfahani, Sara (5 June 2020). "Trump apparently wants a nuclear test. It could be bad for your health". thebulletin.org. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  3. ^ Sorkin, Amy (5 August 2010). "Close Look: A Flash in the Desert". The New Yorker. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  4. ^ Quiqley, Robert (8 July 2010). "A Time-Lapse Map of Every Nuclear Explosion Since 1945 (Minus North Korea's)". themarysue.com. The Mary Sue. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  5. ^ Kelley, Michael. "MAP OF THE DAY: The Other 2000 Nuclear Tests". businessinsider.com. Business Insider. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  6. ^ Geere, Duncan. "Japanese artist maps 1945-1998's nuclear explosions". wired.co.uk. Wired. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  7. ^ a b "53 Years of Nuclear Testing in 14 Minutes: A Time Lapse Film by Japanese Artist Isao Hashimoto". openculture.com. Open Culture. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  8. ^ "THE HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI ANNIVERSARIES". ctbto.org. CTBTO. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  9. ^ "DATA AS STORIES". hh2021.amazon.sites.carleton.edu. HACKING THE HUMANITIES 2021. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  10. ^ "Nuclear Explosions – "1945-1998" by Isao Hashimoto". thenuclearworld.org. The Nuclear World Project. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Using Visual and Auditory Art to Convey the Scale of Nuclear Arms". arithmericofcompassion.org. The Arithmetic of Compassion. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  12. ^ ""A TIME-LAPSE MAP OF EVERY NUCLEAR EXPLOSION SINCE 1945 BY ISAO HASHIMOTO" YOUTUBE". sustainablepractice.org. Sustainable Practice. 7 January 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Isao Hashimoto: Time-Lapse Video of All Nuclear Explosions on Earth, 1945-1998". hokuhouse.com. Hoku House. Retrieved 3 March 2023.