I-127, 2018. Chalk, ink and iodine on paper, plastic bottle, tablets iodine. 15 sketches 14 x 19 cm each, on paper board 100 x 120 cm (39.4 x 47.2 in). Photo credit Serafim (1978-2020)
I-127 is the only stable and non-radioactive isotope of the chemical element Iodine which in the form of Potassium iodide is distributed among the population as a prevention in case of а nuclear accident.
The iodine tablets protect only the thyroid from accumulating radioactive iodine but do not protect against other radioactive substances which are also released in case of a nuclear or radiation accident. And what about the flora and fauna in these areas? Is there an equivalent of I-127 to protect the environment?
I made these sketches during a residency at the botanical garden of Marnay sur Seine - a tiny village situated just few kilometers away from one of the many nuclear plants in France. Being so close to the nuclear plant, I thought about the real threat this nuclear plant might pose, not only to the people, but also to the environment, to the flora and fauna.