Art by Bethany Wilson. People have always been drawn to the sky. “The stars, the peacefulness, the beauty,” Physics Professor Gerard Fasel said. “It makes you marvel, it makes you wonder. That’s what the night sky does for me.” Cultures around the world have developed different interpretations of celestial bodies, crafting intricate myths and stories to explain the … [Read more...] about Written in the Stars: How Cultures View the Cosmos
Fall 2019: Challenging Perceptions of Light & Dark
Creatures of the Night: California Rallies for Wildlife Restoration
Art by Milan Loiacono and Savannah Welch. While the Malibu community falls into a deep sleep, a frog calls for his lover; a mountain lion hunts for her cubs; an owl sings for all of the Santa Monica Mountains to hear. The night is alive. Although unseen to many, nocturnal animals continue to play a vital role in the Santa Monica Mountains — keeping ecosystems balanced … [Read more...] about Creatures of the Night: California Rallies for Wildlife Restoration
Astrophotography
At night, a camera is blind. It faces the inky darkness of a pitch-black sky or the stark contrast of city lights and struggles to focus, let alone choose an exposure. "Auto" is useless. Night photography is thus a test of a photographer; they must know how to set a shutter speed for several minutes, how to freeze the motion of stars in the sky, how to ‘paint in’ the … [Read more...] about Astrophotography
Enlightenment
Art by Savannah Welch As kids, my friends and I would turn off the lights and cover up the windows so that the shadows overtook the room. We’d all hide, as one person searched, arms extended, trying to separate darkness from darkness. No longer able to rely on mere observation, we had to feel our way through the world, to hold it in our hands, so we could tell the … [Read more...] about Enlightenment
Sanctuary
Wisps of sunlight smothered like flames; Swallowed up by hungry mountains. A funny game to play; Silhouettes and shadows vanish. While sight becomes useless, Thought gains its purpose. No light is shed on this mess, So we can finally focus. Momentary troubles like landfills Disappear for the night. Thrills, kills and pills, Disintegrate until dawn. Darkness is … [Read more...] about Sanctuary
