Podcast: Uncovering the Dark Legacy of Nuclear Colonialism with Samia Henni

Listen to a new episode of Framer Framed’s podcast with architectural historian Samia Henni about the running exhibition Performing Colonial Toxicity.

Architectural historian and curator Samia Henni emphasises the importance of including the voices of Sahara’s inhabitants in her latest project. Her exhibition, Performing Colonial Toxicity (2023), at Amsterdam’s Framer Framed explores the enduring impact of France’s nuclear program in the Algerian Sahara (1960-1966) on both human and non-human life. Henni’s ongoing research reveals that the consequences persist beyond colonial occupation, affecting various life forms. The exhibition layers many forms of evidence: written, spoken, and felt in an attempt to give a voice to the voiceless, and appeal for redress and reparation. Her new book, Colonial Toxicity: Rehearsing French Nuclear Architecture and Landscape in the Sahara (2024), and an online database, the Testimony Translation Project, showcasing testimonies from French and Algerian victims accompany the project.

Moreover, Samia explores other exhibitions that shed light on violence during the Algerian War and human experimentation in the struggle for Algeria’s independence from France. These exhibitions prioritize amplifying the voices of victims, preserving their stories, and raising awareness about the enduring consequences of colonialism. Through innovative approaches and collaborations, these exhibitions seek to educate and engage visitors, sparking crucial conversations about the ongoing impacts of nuclear colonialism and the necessity for action and change.