The Star Geezers

The Star Geezers is featured in Fisheye’s Photo Review for 2021 and 2022. This French biennial review of contemporary photography stands at 564 pages and can be purchased here.

Fisheye: “The Review is a true “bible” of contemporary photography, a handbook of inspirations, a guide of rising stars offers unexpected connections between fashion, documentary, intimate and experimental projects. This book gives a unique insight into today’s visual arts, and proves that there are no limits to audacity.”

This is a story about “Sky Village,” an astronomy centric retirement community and their founders, the self appointed “Star Geezers,” Jack and Alice Newton. Located in Arizona near the New Mexico and Mexico border, the remoteness (closest grocery store is 3 hours away) is a gift as this is one of the darkest places on the North American light pollution map. Couple this with the clear air of the desert, this was how the Newtons selected and purchased several hundred acres of land and divided them into 22 distinct lots.

Easily one of the most interesting places I have visited in recent memory. A close-knit community bonded by their love of the celestial, the remoteness, and the darkness….. so dark that on a new moon you can no longer see your feet. So dark you never knew so many stars existed- appearing dizzying, textural, and 3-dimensional. So dark as your eyes adjust, you can see your shadow cast by the stars overhead.