Murray Ballard's decade-long project "The Prospect of Immortality" takes us on a journey through the world of cryonics, a procedure which aims to freeze a dead body in liquid nitrogen, preserving it in the hope that it can be unfrozen and revived in the future.
Ballard's book documents his travels to the US, UK and Russia, where he met with enthusiasts of the procedure and those who work at facilities. He discusses the reasons behind his fascination with cryonics, which stem from a love of science fiction and the belief that cryonics is an ambitious project that brings up conversations about humanity and the future. At the time of the interview, there are approximately 3,000 people signed up for cryopreservation worldwide and 250 people have already been preserved.
Ballard's photographs, which are documented in his book, are both eerie and fascinating. They show the process of cryopreservation, which involves placing the body in large freezers, and the rudimentary equipment used by the scientists. Ballard's images are a powerful reminder that cryonics is still very much in its infancy, with only a small number of scientists and patients involved. This is in stark contrast to the high-tech images associated with science fiction, which often feature flashy equipment and sophisticated technology.
The idea of immortality has always fascinated humans, and cryonics represents the latest attempt to overcome death. However, the procedure remains controversial, with many people questioning whether it is ethical to implicate technology in the afterlife. Ballard himself is conflicted about the procedure, but his project provides a unique insight into the world of cryonics and the people who choose to sign up for it. Ballard's images are a testament to the dedication and care involved in the process of cryopreservation, and to the hope that one day we might be able to cheat death and live forever.
