Night Spoken Video Series

Night Spoken is an award-winning project created by Rader Lane, a park ranger and dark-sky advocate at Grand Canyon National Park. This series explores people's relationships, or lack thereof, with natural darkness.

Here we document the stories of our light-polluted generation today, one of the first in the history of the human race to be veiled from the stars. By turning the microphones to Grand Canyon park visitors, we capture the thoughts and feelings of people from around the world as they experience one of the last remaining pristine night skies in the United States. .

Together, we reconnect to our ancient relationship with the dark and seek, once again, to become Night Spoken.

To watch as a playlist, visit the park's YouTube channel.

 

 

Duration:

8 minutes

Many cultures believe when their loved ones pass away they become stars. At the 2019 Grand Canyon Star Party an old rotary phone was set up on a table under the stars for visitors to find. Visitors were invited to dial S-T-A-R and leave a message for a loved one who has passed away. They looked up. And they left these responses. Honor our loved ones. Protect the stars.

 

Duration:

4 minutes, 27 seconds

For a few starry nights at the bottom of Grand Canyon an infrared wildlife camera was set up at Phantom Ranch. Visitors were invited to approach the nocturnal camera and answer a question: "If this were the last night in a thousand years humanity could see the stars, how would you want us to remember them?" They looked up. And they left these responses.

 

Duration:

6 minutes

For eight beautiful nights at the 2018 Grand Canyon National Park Star Party, a vintage cassette recorder was placed on a table under the stars for visitors to find. Next to the old machine was a sign that invited visitors to imagine themselves as messengers from the year 2218, where stars can no longer be seen due to light pollution. They looked up. And they left these responses.

 

Duration:

2 minutes, 37 seconds

Night Whispers concentrates on singular responses from the Night Spoken Series. Here we meet Kelsey who looks up at the stars and remembers a friend. Recorded during the Night Requiem sessions.

 

Duration:

2 minutes

Night Whispers concentrates on singular responses from the Night Spoken Series. Here we meet David who recites a poem he wrote 50 years ago inspired by the stars. Recorded during the Night Visions sessions.

 

Duration:

2 minutes, 20 seconds

Night Whispers concentrates on singular responses from the Night Spoken Series. Here we join Trevor and Mary who share how the stars give them perspective. Recorded during the Night Visions sessions.