From Shadow Space to Dark Skies – a Journey From Inner Space to Outer Space
Ro Spankie 2025. From Shadow Space to Dark Skies – a Journey From Inner Space to Outer Space. Folk, Knowledge, Place. 2 (2), pp. 97-110. https://doi.org/10.24043/001c.154260
| Title | From Shadow Space to Dark Skies – a Journey From Inner Space to Outer Space |
|---|---|
| Type | Journal article |
| Authors | Ro Spankie |
| Abstract | In the twenty first century there is a growing gap between cultural understandings of darkness as a frightening and unknown place filled with dread and awe and the reality of the modern world where increased light pollution is degrading the night environment. In this article I explore this tension between darkness as a figurative phenomenon to darkness as an experiential phenomenon. That is to say, the gap between darkness as represented in human knowledge systems against darkness as experienced in the social-material environment. I explore our complex relationship to darkness and the night, through a shift in my own perception. A conversion that stemmed from attending a conference on darkness in 2019. The experience of attending this conference shifted my focus from metaphorical association to environmental concern and resulted in the curation of an exhibition of the work of artist and photographer Judy Goldhill entitled ‘Dark Skies’. First in Hay Castle, Hay on Wye in Wales (23.11.23-08.01.24) and subsequently at the Ballroom Gallery in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, in England (0.4.09.24-01.10.24). My observation from this exploration of darkness through the lived experience of different geographies and mediums, was that my cultural references to darkness are largely inherited and refer a past that no longer reflects the environmental degradation of the present, suggesting that culture is slower to change than the places and spaces that it describes. The recommendation is that it is time to urgently re-examine and re-frame the narrative around darkness to reflect the natural and human-made environment as found today. |
| Keywords | Darkness, Inner Space, Outer Space, Noctalgia, Environmental thinking, Astronomy, Design |
| Journal | Folk, Knowledge, Place |
| Journal citation | 2 (2), pp. 97-110 |
| ISSN | 3007-8849 |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publisher | Beewolf Press |
| Publisher's version | License CC BY 4.0 File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.24043/001c.154260 |
| Web address (URL) | https://doi.org/10.24043/001c.154260 |
| Publication dates | |
| Published | 24 Dec 2025 |