In August 2023, Professor Dvorak participated in the capacity of researcher, advisor, and artist on a special expedition to the northern Republic of the Marshall Islands atolls of Wotho, Bikini, and Rongelap with 29 other carefully selected international and local artists and researchers for two weeks on an expedition that combined science and art interventions to survey the effects of nuclear displacement and climate change, leading towards a collaborative long-term book, film, and international exhibition meant to spread awareness about climate change and postcolonial resilience. Called “Kōmij Mour Ijin” (Our Life is Here), this initiative was spearheaded by Marshallese scholar/poet/activist Kathy Jetn̄il-Kijiner, with whom Dvorak has collaborated in the past, together with photographer Michael Light and UK climate advocacy nonprofit Caoe Farewell. Dvorak contributed to the forthcoming documentary film and will be giving a paper at the Pacific History Association Conference in November 2023 to present his initial work.
He will also author part of the forthcoming book and be a part of the exhibit. The expedition and Dvorak’s insights were described in media coverage such as the article “Back to Bikini” by independent journalist Jon Letman, which can be found here. https://inkstickmedia.com/back-to-bikini/
