The photobook Chernobyl by Pierpaolo Mittica employs a documentary visual strategy to explore the aftermath of the 1986 nuclear disaster through stark, desolate imagery. The photographs capture the eerie stillness of the exclusion zone, emphasizing themes of abandonment, decay, and the persistent impact of radiation on the environment and structures.

Mittica’s approach balances haunting landscapes with intimate details, presenting both wide shots of ruined urban spaces and close-ups that reveal the passage of time on material remnants. The mood is somber and reflective, inviting contemplation on humanity’s technological failures and the resilience of nature in the face of catastrophe. The 224-page volume, published by Trolley Press in 2024, offers a sustained meditation on loss and memory.