Artistic Perceptions vs. Narratives

On a warm sunny day, some people find it relaxing to lay in the grass and take in the fresh air from the breeze. The grass swaying back and forth with patches of dandelions spread throughout the area. Gazing at the sky as the clouds move faster and faster. After closing ones eyes, the mind goes off with its own thoughts and imagination of what could be happening. Yet one of the best parts about this process is that for each thought that comes to mind, it is suitable for the individual.  Every individual is different and your own imagination portrays a viewing habit that is far from ordinary. The film Koyaanisqatsi  by Godfrey Reggio was produced in 1983 and focused on many different aspects in one.  Lacking a plot, dialogue and characters the film allows the viewers to be mesmerized and successfully uses artistic abilities with video shots and music combined to attract attention. 

In contrast to narrative films, Koyaanisqatsi, in my opinion, is a film that catches attention in a silent way.  Many narratives in the beginning of their movies have catchy music  and scenes that are relatable such as a school or neighborhood setting.  However, in this film the idea of people living in technology almost makes us technology.  The meaning behind Koyaanisqatsi refers to the crazy life, which is best illustrated in this visual film. In the beginning of the film, natural scenes are displayed as the music swiftly goes along.  A slow motion shot of sand dunes are shown as the line patterns and shades of light and dark catch the eye and are relaxing and so unpopular that it catches the viewers attention even more. 

The music as well, is used in the film to help transition the shifty images. Images such as those of nature like the simple scenery of nature to the ugly trucks and what technology has developed into.  Without the music, I feel the film would be displayed poorly and the strong points of transition and beauty would be misinterpreted. The artistic abilities used in this film are significant although, with art the total is much greater than the sum of the parts. All of the parts compiled together through out the film take part in making it eye popping.  Yet the overall effect is what I feel is most significant in the film.  

After opening your eyes from gazing off in the field of grass, the thoughts and images in your head are clear as day and will only stay fresh in the mind for a certain amount of time.  Those imaginations and unique thoughts were best captured by Reggio in his film Koyaanisqatsi which make the film eye catching and different than others. Due to all of the beauty and distinct ways of getting a point across makes this film allow the viewers to naturally think in a different way than viewing a narrative film.