The British photographer Dan Mariner's exhibition 'First Strike City' is now live, showing photos from the decommissioned air station in Bodø. The relevance of the project has increased in line with the escalation of geopolitical tensions and military expansion in Bodø. (Photo: Birgitte Annie Hansen)
The British photographer got access to the decommissioned air station in Bodø, Northern Norway. The photos he took there are now exhibited under the title 'First Strike City' and pose the question: What is the cost of safety, and who is footing the bill?
British photographer Dan Mariner works in Bodø, Northern Norway, and has gained insight into the city's secret world – the decommissioned military air station. There, he has worked with military installations' adjacency to large civilian populations and human interference in nature.
Bodø was long central in the defense of NATO's northern flank. The city served as a headquarters for the Norwegian Air Force until its closure in 2022 and played a crucial role in NATO's operations during the Cold War.
Now, the High North and the Arctic are once again in the spotlight, characterized by increased geopolitical tension and a new wave of Russian aggression.
And that is precisely the title of the photographer's new exhibition at the Bodø City Museum.
The expression is a typical description of cities that would be the first and most significant targets in a possible war or conflict.
"I grew up outside of London, in between the two major military bases, RAF Lakenheath and RAF Wattisham. That was also a 'First Strike City,' the photographer says.
However, Mariner emphasizes that where a 'First Strike City' would previously be at risk for nuclear threats and military attacks, hybrid threats and grey area operations are now the major risks.
"We live in a fragile place regarding infrastructure and climate. If something happens in the winter, things could quickly get dangerous," he says.
Mariner began the project in 2023 and spent two years in the area before the exhibition. Securing access took months, and he had to have his memory card controlled after every visit.
Did the project change in any way during these years, considering the increased geopolitical tension in the Arctic?
"Not massively, but with the Ukraine War, Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO, and the new air operations center, we're getting even closer to the issue. The relevance has only increased," replies Mariner and continues:
"There is a spotlight on Bodø right now and it is exciting to follow what is happening here. With the capital of culture title, Bodø Glimt, and now the military rearmament, there is a lot of focus on a little city."
"The High North is fascinating in general and this is a very suspenseful time to live here considering the developments military, geopolitically, and in terms of climate. Bodø is a part of this," he says.
Two of the photos show the air station in Bodø from above. The photos come from Google Earth and illustrate how difficult it is to keep such installations secret in the age of information. Mariner has covered parts of the images with grooved glass to shed light on the paradox of military secrecy. (Photo: Birgitte Annie Hansen)
Mariner says he wants to shed light on the paradox of keeping military facilities secret. Some of the photos in the exhibition are sourced from Google Earth and demonstrate how easy it can be to get an overview of such areas.
"It is a paradox – it's secret for the sake of secrecy. So much information can be found online. In this city, one can just catch a Widerøe flight over the area as well," he says and adds:
"National security is a very serious topic, but there's some humour in it as well."
He refers to how developments and establishments of infrastructure take place 'under the radar' around major military facilities, while everyone knows and understands why it happens.
"A lot of secrets are not secret," the photographer says with a smile.
GALLERY: Mariner found this motif on an old radio. He says it illustrates the overload of information, military development, and geopolitical tension in the modern world. (Photo: Dan Mariner) >
In this photo, one can see how close the air station is to the city and the airport, as well as the nature in between, where wild animals roam freely. (Photo: Dan Mariner) >
Mariner chose this photo because he knows Bodø people want to see the Northern Norwegian landscape. (Photo: Dan Mariner)
What role can art play in human understanding of defense and conflict?
"I have talked with many people in connection with the exhibition and asked whether they think about the risk of military facilities. People are proud of Bodø being a defense city, and that is good, but I want the exhibition to make people think about what military establishments entail for the city. It creates many workplaces, but it also leads to other things," he says and continues:
"The point is not to scare people, but to nuance the narrative."
"People can come here and reflect on the geopolitical situation, what could happen in the future, and the fact that we live on NATO's northern flank."
The exhibition also makes foreign visitors aware of Bodø's strategic placement.
"Many know nothing about Bodø as a defense city. They know we are neighbors with Russia, but not what it entails," he says.
In this box, which Mariner calls a 'black box', visitors can experience moving images and a soundscape of notes in F major, along with encrypted radiocommunication. "This takes place around us at all times while we live our normal lives," says Mariner. He has used grooved glass here as well – transparent and visible at the same time. (Photo: Birgitte Annie Hansen)
What reactions have you had to the exhibition?
"It appeals to many different people with the photos of the city and the landscape, but also because of the military and political elements in the exhibition," he says and continues:
"Bodø people are very proud. They miss the sight and sounds of the aircraft, and so do I."
The Northern Norwegian pride has influenced the selection of photos for the exhibition. Mariner says that he might have chosen other photos for an exhibition in another city, but that photos of the Northern Norwegian landscape were important to include in Bodø.
Bodø people are proud of their defense and the beautiful nature that surrounds it, he says. They want to see the air station as part of the landscape.
The First Strike City exhibition can be experienced every day at the Bodø City Museum between 11:00 and 17:00.
