Nikel started with the goal to be the best city in Northern Russia, a perfect mono-town with an enjoyable nature and job opportunities. However after the collapse of USSR, and lower economy, few buildings were abandoned and now are standing still, empty, in the middle of the city, contrasting with pastel colours houses from soviet times.
Now, the main contrasts remains in the dissonance between an industry that has 50 years to go, a decreasing population, a semi ruined city with polluted nature and hopes and expectations that makes Nikel build massive stadium, develop more services.
Regarding city’s past objectives, present, and future, it brings feelings of disorientation in mind and spaces. A depressive feeling that urges to escape on one side and an endearing feeling on the other side, reinforced by Arctic nature and weather.
Upon this analysis, both sensitive and historical, this work focuses on what could be the future of Nikel. How could it look in 70 years, when the industry is gone.