EMRTC: An Explosive Retrospective

by Kathleen Hedges

SOCORRO, N.M, July 2, 2008 – For over 50 years, New Mexico Tech has been snapping photos of explosions, as part of research and testing activities.

Now, the public will get to appreciate the results as art. Macey Center Gallery hosts an exhibition titled “EMRTC: An Explosive Retrospective” from July 3 through Aug. 10. A special opening reception, with refreshments, is scheduled Thursday, July 10, from 5 to 8 p.m.

New Mexico Tech’s division EMRTC (Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center) and its predecessor TERA (Terminal Effects Research and Analysis group) have been archiving images over the many years they have conducted testing, first responder training, and other activities. Many residents of Socorro have relatives who have worked there, but have never actually seen what EMRTC and TERA employees do all day. This will be many townspeople’s first opportunity to see the scenery and activities that surround their loved ones on a daily basis.

Some of the featured photos are images of actual explosions taken with high-speed cameras. Others are shots of EMRTC’s scenery, animals, and people, featured on a screen at the front of the gallery. Another screen at the gallery’s back will display video of EMRTC’s many appearances on the media and with famous celebrities visiting, from Sen. Pete Domenici to Britain’s Prince Andrew. Also on display will be some artifacts from EMRTC’s history: a 16 mm camera, a proximity fuze (a TERA invention of great importance in World War II), and a sample of rocktite (rock created when sand melted under a rocket test).

Dale Hamlett, who was New Mexico Tech’s artist-in-residence during the 1960s, took some of the images and painted them, to give them color and visual interest. Several of his paintings of TERA sites will be on display.

Also in the display are images of artist Evelyn Rosenberg at work. For over two decades, Rosenberg has been creating images by using explosives to shape a sheet of metal to the form of a plaster cast she has created. Some of her works are on display in the Macey lobby and at the entrance to Skeen Library.

Although the images in the display are the property of EMRTC and are not for sale, a coffee table book of images is in the works, according to Kim Zuidema, one of the show’s organizers. Kim and fellow organizer Kyra Walsh are multimedia techs in EMRTC’s Photo/Edit Studio.

Dr. John Meason, director of EMRTC said, “I believe that the art show, giving the pictorial history of the organization, is important for showing the public our rich and productive history. I think it's important to show the people in the Socorro community and the state of New Mexico what we do and what services we provide to the state and the country.”

For more information on the display, please contact Kyra Walsh or Kim Zuidema at 835-5654 during office hours.

-NMT-