The U.S. production of nuclear weapons has left a lingering legacy of contaminated lands and peoples. Over 300 facilities across the nation have contributed to building the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Accidents have plagued the weapons complex, leaving workers, nearby residents, and surrounding environments contaminated with radioactive and hazardous waste.
The most notorious instances of contamination, neglect, and cover-ups occurred at the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant near Denver, Colorado. Rocky Flats served as the central nuclear bomb production facility in the United States from 1952 until 1989.
Decades later, health and contamination issues continue to affect Rocky Flats and communities around the nation. Now, the U.S. government is embarking on a new nuclear build-up that will cost trillions of dollars and pose incalculable risks to human health and the environment.
Through powerful testimonials and extraordinary archival media, Half-Life Productions exposes Rocky Flats' dark past and prompts critical reflection on the implications of the nation's renewed nuclear weapons buildup.
Jeff Gipe is a visual artist and filmmaker whose works delve into the far-reaching implications of the US nuclear legacy. His deep connection to this subject matter stems from his upbringing near the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant, where his father was employed. He is the director of Half-Life of Memory, the creator of the Rocky Flats Cold War Horse monument, and a contributor to the book Doom With A View.
Beyond his own artistic practice, Gipe engages in public discourse and curates exhibits that invite audiences to confront the complex realities of nuclear weapons production and its long-lasting repercussions.
Gipe's artwork has been exhibited around the world and has been featured in prominent publications such as The Guardian, Huffington Post, Observer, and Scientific American. Educationally, Gipe holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in Denver and a Master of Fine Arts degree from New York Academy of Art.
See Jeff's artwork at www.jeffgipe.com