Time travel at the Zwentendorf nuclear power plant: Back to the future with sound

A performance art event took place at the decommissioned nuclear power plant in Zwentendorf, Austria, on August 22, 2026, blending historical context with futuristic themes through sound-based storytelling. The event, organized by the Institute for Media Archaeology (IMA) in St. Pölten, marked its 20th anniversary with a unique theatrical experience titled Gegen den Strom (Against the Current). The IMA, founded in 2005 by Elisabeth Schimana, specializes in research and public engagement related to acoustics, sound machines, and digital music. The performance was structured as a guided tour through the former nuclear facility, which has remained unused since its construction in the 1970s. The space, with its long corridors and massive doors, evoked the atmosphere of a spaceship, prompting comparisons to the sci-fi classic Alien. The narrative centered around a time-traveling spacecraft that crashed into the reactor site, leading to a team’s exploration of the structure. The story, written by Klaudia Zotzmann-Koch, featured a character named TIM, a relative of HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey, who had become unresponsive. Throughout the tour, performers delivered dialogues over loudspeakers, recounting the team's struggles within a “space-time vortex.” These audio elements were interwoven with ambient sounds and electronic manipulations, creating an immersive auditory environment. One notable moment occurred in the turbine hall, where artist Reni Hofmüller used an old radio receiver to generate white noise, while another performer, Starsky, projected abstract visual patterns onto the walls using a manually operated projector. The event included performances utilizing a range of instruments, including the theremin, saxophone, and harmonica, alongside digital tools. The focus was on analog methods, emphasizing the contrast between past and future technologies. The performances highlighted the potential of sound to evoke nostalgia and speculation about technological evolution. The event took place in the “Brennelementwechselbühne” (Fuel Element Exchange Stage), a key feature of the plant, offering views into the reactor area. In the control room, known as the “Schaltwarte,” the performance continued with further explorations of sound and space. The overall tone was one of playful experimentation, drawing parallels between the nuclear facility’s history and speculative science fiction narratives. The IMA’s approach combined academic rigor with artistic creativity, inviting participants to engage with the space both physically and sonically. The event underscored the institute’s mission to bridge research and public understanding through innovative media practices. It also reflected broader trends in contemporary art that explore the intersection of technology, memory, and perception. As the performance concluded, attendees were encouraged to revisit the space, suggesting that the experience might benefit from repetition. This invitation echoed the idea that such installations can evolve with each visit, offering new insights and interpretations. The event thus stood as a testament to the enduring fascination with the relationship between sound, space, and imagination.