The Zone

Developed between 2013-2020, The Zone focuses on the vast area of land that was evacuated in 1986 after the accident in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. It explores nuclear colonialism, forced migration, eco-nationalism, and the study of future visions, amongst other themes.

The Zone (Photo) is an extensive set of photographic field-notes that document the lingering paraphernalia and monumental structures left behind in the exclusion zone and the remains of an expired political system and the take-over of spaces by nature and decay.

Field note 24-03-14—120mm 156 (Basketball court, Pripyat, Chernobyl), 2022.
Exhibition view at Proyectos Monclova Gallery, Mexico
In collaboration with Roberto Rubalcava and Peter Miles
Photographic print adhered to wall
Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 mts
Image: Ramiro Chavez

Field note 09-05–16—2 (Bookshop Pripyat, Chernobyl), 2016.
In collaboration with Roberto Rubalcava and Peter Miles
C-Print on photographic paper
120 × 160 cm
© Raul Ortega Ayala, 1990-2026 All Rights Reserved
Akzo Nobel Art Foundation Collection

Field note 25-03-14—120mm 184 (Hallway, Pripyat, Chernobyl), 2017.
Exhibition view at Durst Britt & Mayhew Gallery, Netherlands
In collaboration with Roberto Rubalcava and Peter Miles
Photographic print adhered to wall
320 x 306 cm
Photo: GJ. Van Rooij

Field note 14-04-17—1473 (Gymnasium, Pripyat, Chernobyl), 2014
In collaboration with Peter Miles
Pigment inks on photographic paper
90 x 63.6 cm
© Raul Ortega Ayala, All Rights Reserved

Exhibition view of Fieldnote 10-05-16—4485 (Interior, Pripyat, Chernobyl), 2024 at Adam Art Gallery, New Zealand, 2024

Field note 14-04-17—7732 (School, Pripyat, Chernobyl), 2017
In collaboration with Roberto Rubalcava and Peter Miles
Pigment inks on photographic paper
90 x 63.6 cm
© Raul Ortega Ayala, All Rights Reserved

Exhibition view at Proyectos Monclova Gallery, Mexico, 2022

Field note 24-03-14—0446 (Pripyat, Chernobyl), 2014
In collaboration with Peter Miles
Pigment inks on photographic paper
90 x 63.6 cm
© Raul Ortega Ayala, All Rights Reserved

Field note 27-01-15—6542 (Duga, Chernobyl), 2015
In collaboration with Roberto Rubalcava and Peter Miles
Pigment inks on photographic paper
90 x 63.6 cm
© Raul Ortega Ayala, All Rights Reserved

Exhibition view at Te Tuhi, New Zealand, 2020

Field note 14-04–17-7642 (Prometheus Cinema, Pripyat, Chernobyl), 2017
In collaboration with Peter Miles
C-Print on photographic paper
120 x 160 cm
© Raul Ortega Ayala, All Rights Reserved

Exhibition view at Te Tuhi, New Zealand, 2020

View of Field note 15-04-17—7906-7914 (Rehabilitation swim­ming pool, Pripyat, Chernobyl), 2017 at Te Tuhi, New Zealand, 2020