{"id":2060427,"date":"2026-07-24T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2060427"},"modified":"2026-07-24T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T21:00:00","slug":"damien-aubin-documents-a-former-soviet-mining-settlement-suspended-in-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2060427","title":{"rendered":"Damien Aubin Documents a Former Soviet Mining Settlement Suspended in Time"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content prose-colossal max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default entry-header is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"colo-post-featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"a snow covered landscape with a brightly colored monument\" style=\"object-fit:cover\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Monument, Pyramiden. All images \u00a9 Damien Aubin, shared with permission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group post-title is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0bc941e6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h1 class=\"alignfull wp-block-post-title\">Damien Aubin Documents a Former Soviet Mining Settlement Suspended in Time<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-meta is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-24T13:45:46-05:00\">July 24, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a class=\"category-books\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/books\/\" rel=\"tag\">Books<\/a><a class=\"category-history\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><a class=\"category-photography\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/photography\/\" rel=\"tag\">Photography<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/author\/gebert\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Grace Ebert<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-share-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing has-visible-labels has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-layout-flex wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-is-layout-flex\">\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-facebook has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F07%2Fdamien-aubin-pyramiden-photo-book%2F&amp;title=Damien%20Aubin%20Documents%20a%20Former%20Soviet%20Mining%20Settlement%20Suspended%20in%20Time\" aria-label=\"Share\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tShare\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-mail has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#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\" aria-label=\"Email\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tEmail\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><button class=\"simplefavorite-button preset\" data-postid=\"476144\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"0\"><i class=\"sf-icon-bookmark\"><\/i>Bookmark<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The small settlement of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pyramiden\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pyramiden<\/a> on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is literally frozen in time. A former mining outpost for the Soviet Union, industrial operations ceased in 1998, and residents relocated. It wasn\u2019t until 2007 that a handful of new inhabitants made the settlement home.<\/p>\n<p>Because Pyramiden was abandoned in a cold climate, it remains impeccably preserved, with remnants of its once-thriving settlement still visible. French photographer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.damienaubin.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Damien Aubin<\/a> visited the Arctic region and documented the still, serene environment blanketed in snow. \u201cThe place has not been abandoned. It has been left in suspension,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-8.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476144\" title=\"Classroom, Pyramiden\" data-rl_title=\"Classroom, Pyramiden\" data-rl_caption=\"Classroom, Pyramiden\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-8.jpg\" alt=\"a 1990s era classroom\" class=\"wp-image-476157\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Classroom, Pyramiden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Pyramiden\u2019s buildings and the objects inside are largely unchanged. Books sit open on school desks, and an unblemished statue of Lenin presides over a common area. Outside, a towering outdoor monument soars into the sky, the vibrant red and blue paint a stark contrast to the otherwise white landscape. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI photograph these environments at a distance, in a restrained, diffuse light. There is no event to describe, no narrative to unfold,\u201d Aubin adds. \u201cAcross Pyramiden, Barentsburg and Longyearbyen, the same condition appears:<br \/>spaces shaped by human intent, no longer aligned with it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Aubin has compiled the photos in a limited-edition book slated for release in September. You can purchase a copy on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.damienaubin.fr\/pyramiden-book-pre-order\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">his website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-12.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476144\" title=\"Miners\u2019 Canteen, Pyramiden\" data-rl_title=\"Miners\u2019 Canteen, Pyramiden\" data-rl_caption=\"Miners\u2019 Canteen, Pyramiden\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-12.jpg\" alt=\"a grand hall with two bannisters surrounding stairs\" class=\"wp-image-476152\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Miners\u2019 Canteen, Pyramiden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-13.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476144\" title=\"Reindeer, Pyramiden\" data-rl_title=\"Reindeer, Pyramiden\" data-rl_caption=\"Reindeer, Pyramiden\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-13.jpg\" alt=\"small buildings on a snow covered landscape \" class=\"wp-image-476153\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Reindeer, Pyramiden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-14.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476144\" title=\"Global seed vault, Longyearbyen\" data-rl_title=\"Global seed vault, Longyearbyen\" data-rl_caption=\"Global seed vault, Longyearbyen\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-14.jpg\" alt=\"small buildings on a snow covered landscape \" class=\"wp-image-476154\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Global seed vault, Longyearbyen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-6.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476144\" title=\"The Farm, Pyramiden\" data-rl_title=\"The Farm, Pyramiden\" data-rl_caption=\"The Farm, Pyramiden\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-6.jpg\" alt=\"small buildings on a snow covered landscape \" class=\"wp-image-476155\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Farm, Pyramiden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-11.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476144\" title=\"Lenin, Pyramiden\" data-rl_title=\"Lenin, Pyramiden\" data-rl_caption=\"Lenin, Pyramiden\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-11.jpg\" alt=\"a statue of lenin in a stately room\" class=\"wp-image-476151\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lenin, Pyramiden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-7.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476144\" title=\"Landscape, Svalbard\" data-rl_title=\"Landscape, Svalbard\" data-rl_caption=\"Landscape, Svalbard\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-7.jpg\" alt=\"an expanse of white snow covered landscape\" class=\"wp-image-476156\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Landscape, Svalbard <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-9.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476144\" title=\"Power station, Pyramiden\" data-rl_title=\"Power station, Pyramiden\" data-rl_caption=\"Power station, Pyramiden\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aubin-9.jpg\" alt=\"small buildings on a snow covered landscape \" class=\"wp-image-476158\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Power station, Pyramiden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"after-entry\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"After Entry\">\n<section id=\"block-16\" class=\"widget widget_block widget_text\">\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:#88caf0\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Do stories and artists like this matter to you?<\/strong><\/mark> Become a <a 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All images \u00a9 Damien Aubin, shared with permission Damien Aubin Documents a Former Soviet Mining Settlement Suspended in Time July 24, 2026 BooksHistoryPhotography Grace Ebert Share Email Bookmark The small settlement of Pyramiden on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is literally frozen in time. A former mining outpost for the Soviet Union, industrial [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,270],"class_list":["post-2060427","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-thisiscolossal-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2060427","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2060427"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2060427\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2060427"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2060427"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2060427"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}