This paper was presented at the Close Look, Distant View symposium at The Hold, Suffolk Archives

The paper discusses the impetus for developing the Blast Radius project and an ongoing fascination with the fragile and hostile environment of Orford Ness on the East Anglian coast. As a former military test site evaluating explosions towards measuring the extent of destructive capacities, Blast Radius employs similar evaluative technologies but towards the creation of artworks and the assessment of a site’s ecology; the impact of a creative impulse.

The paper discusses how the project brings together artists, researchers and specialists to explore contemporary sites through the lens of various disciplines such; as art practice, heritage, environmental science, ecology and technology. Through active field research, creative collaboration and exploration of archival materials. The aim of the project is to encourage dialogues and presentations in art practice to stimulate new ways of examining and understanding the landscape around us.