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ERIK NITSCHE (1908-1998)
166
●
GENERAL ATOMIC / TRIGA. 1958.
50
1
/
2
x35
1
/
2
inches, 128
1
/
4
x90
1
/
4
cm. R. Marsens, Lausanne.
Condition A- / A: minor tears and abrasions at edges. Paper.
Nitsche followed the success of his first series with
Exploring the Universe
in 1958, which, like its
predecessor, offers a modern, poetic and friendly approach to progress, but in more earthy and calm
colors. This poster, however, seems to stand alone as the one image Nitsche designed for General
Atomic, which was founded as a subsidiary of General Dynamics in 1955. “Triga [is] a nuclear reactor
whose unique uranium zirconium hydride fuel elements provide a self-regulating power level and, as
a result, a guarantee that the reactor will not run wild as the consequence of some operating mishap”
(Dynamic America p. 374). In layman’s terms, it was a meltdown-free reactor. It went into operation
on May 3, 1958. Modern American 85.
[1,200/1,800]