Lehmden has disappointed those who expected him to take the attitude of "alternative" artists who oppose not only the permanent storage of nuclear waste, but also the use of atomic power itself. He is a noted landscape painter and, just as his paintings metamorphose landscapes and geological structures, the containers he has designed for nuclear waste are integrated into the landscape. His models were the Wackelsteine. the gigantic "rocking stones" which are such a characteristic feature of the Waldviertel region in the north of Lower Austria. These huge round granite blocks - some of which can even be rocked by hand - were strewn around by prehistoric glaciers near what is now the border between Austria and Czechoslovakia.

Lehmden has been working on this phenomenon for many years.

He has refined, simplified, smoothed and alienated the granite giants into the shape of an egg, the symbol of life and one of nature's architectonic masterpieces.

These "eggshells" - the walls are 2 to 3 metres thick - are made of stainless steel and concrete and are lined with lead. Lehmden's concept: Learn to deal with industrial products. including waste, in an acceptable manner: integrate waste containers into the landscape.

The Seibersdorf Research Centre is showing considerable interest in the project, which Lehmden has summarized under twelve points:

• The storage containers are egg-shaped, and are deposited on several layers of sand and gravel.
• These materials are laid in a special excavation.
• The layers extend to a depth of 35 to 45 metres underground.
• The containers stored in this manner are able to withstand the severest vibrations and earthquakes.
• The containers can be 13 metres high and 21 metres long, or 17 metres high and 25 metres long.
• The containers are cast on site in several layers.
• The materials are stainless steel and high-quality concrete.
• Wall thickness is 2 to 3 metres. according to the overall dimensions of the container.
• The inside of the container is lined with lead. the thickness depending on the intensity of the radiation from the stored waste.
• The advantages of this method are its clarity, and the accessibility of the objects.
• Several permanent radiation monitoring devices are to be installed at the site.
• The containers would integrate organically into the landscape. The scientists at Seibersdorfgive the project a good chance or realization. The containers would also be suitable for surface intermediate storage. the waste being removed at intervals for permanent storage.

Anton Lehmden. born 1929 in the Slovakian town of Nitra, studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, where he has taught as a professor since 1970. His numerous artistic stations in Europe and the East included lstanbul, where he was called to the Art Academy in 1963. It was there that he did his engraving "Hagia Sofia" which was issued as a supplement to AUSTRIA TODAY 1/83 (copies of the engraving are still available ).