The small settlement of Pyramiden in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard remains a time capsule from its days as a Soviet mining hub. Mining operations ceased in 1998, prompting the relocation of its residents. It wasn’t until 2007 that a small group of new settlers began calling Pyramiden home again.
Due to its abandonment in a frigid climate, Pyramiden is remarkably well-preserved, with visible traces of its vibrant past. French photographer Damien Aubin traveled to the Arctic region to capture the serene and snow-covered landscape. “The place has not been abandoned. It has been left in suspension,” he remarks.
The buildings and objects in Pyramiden remain largely untouched. In the classrooms, books lie open on desks, and a pristine statue of Lenin stands prominently in a common area. Outside, a towering monument painted in vibrant red and blue rises against the stark white background.
“I photograph these environments at a distance, in a restrained, diffuse light. There is no event to describe, no narrative to unfold,” Aubin notes. “Across Pyramiden, Barentsburg, and Longyearbyen, the same condition appears: spaces shaped by human intent, no longer aligned with it.”
Aubin has compiled his photographs into a limited-edition book set for release in September. Copies are available for purchase on his website.
