Response to Koyaanisqatsi Directed by Godfrey Reggio

1354 Words6 Pages
Response to Koyaanisqatsi directed by Godfrey Reggio Life out of balance. Crazy life. Life in turmoil. These are all definitions of the word “Koyaanisqatsi.” Koyaanisqatsi is a breathtaking film filled with hidden meaning and mystery of the natural world. It shows the reel of time passing by, and the effect that humans have on our natural surroundings. Without any dialogue or narration, the film is open to interpretation. Accompanied by miraculous music, Koyaanisqatsi is truly a wonder and really opens your eyes to the unseen. An anonymous author wrote: "Koyaanisqatsi is not so much about something, nor does it have a specific meaning or value, Koyaanisqatsi is, after all, an animated object, an object in moving time, the meaning of which is up to the viewer... I realize fully that any meaning or value Koyaanisqatsi might have comes exclusively from the beholder. The film's role is to provoke, to raise questions that only the audience can answer... So in the sense of art, the meaning of Koyaanisqatsi is whatever you wish to make of it." The curtain opens, to reveal petroglyphs of Hopi Indian art, and a rocket launch into outer space. I think this is supposed to represent how far society has come throughout the centuries. From when we communicated to future generations by stone carvings, to now, when our technology is advanced enough to take us beyond earth’s atmosphere. I interpreted the art as showing what we can create without spoiling nature’s glow, and the rocket as showing that even the greatest inventions can cause harm to our world. This really goes to show how much progress humans have made, but it also demonstrates the cost that comes with monumental steps in history. When the rocket blasts off into outer space, part of it dissembles and shards of metal erupt through the sky, drifting further and further into the distance. We also see the towering clouds
Open Document