ARCH 642 Reflections on Koyaanisqatsi

1. Formulate at least three points of analysis in relationship to your [architectural] interpretation of the film “Koyaanisqatsi” that touch your individual way of understanding spaces. Were you aware of those topics? Explain how.

The movie Koyaanisqatsi started out showing natural features of the world. Which at that point I found interesting because there was no way of knowing when the movie was actually filmed and produced. While our man-made world is constantly changing, the natural world withstands the test of time unchanged. So when people started showing up, and specifically man-made things, it was quite obvious what time period was being filmed, The natural elements were relaxing to watch, while the man-made movement was taxing to watch, yet I still couldn't look away. I think that's a metaphor for how we live nowadays. While we know that giving into the demands of the world can be a bad thing, we can't help but do it anyways.

2. Are those interpretations, those inquiries related to your individual architecture searches? How? Why?

I have always found nature fascinating and necessary, and have always wondered why we don't focus more on incorporating it into the built environment. This movie made it quite apparent that we don't focus on nature, and we haven't been for some time.

 3. Are those interpretations influencing your individual architecture thesis question[s]? How should they be considered in the current architecture discussions? Bring to the discussion examples of that influence.

My thoughts about the movie are strongly reflected in my thesis. My thesis is about incorporating the nature world into the built world, and the movie made it very obvious to me how much that isn't happening and how necessary it is.

4. As a reference search for an article, a piece of architecture, a design position that take into account the topics you are listing/observing.

I recently read an article/journal written by Maggie Jencks, an architect who died in 1995 from breast cancer. She described hospitals as places that people dread going to. While the buildings 'serve their purpose' of providing medical care to patients, they are not conducive to helping people (family, friends or patients) deal with the harsh reality of their illnesses and overcoming them. Maggie came up with the idea of the Maggies Centre, a place for patients and their families to go to deal with their illnesses, get help and comfort, and realize they have a community who supports them, so they know they aren't alone. It's all about designing and providing an appropriate space where these types of interactions and relationships can happen, and people feel comfortable in them.

ARCH 642 Koyaanisqatsi

My word to describe the movie Koyaanisqatsi was MESMERIZING.

dictionary definition of mesmerize:
[mez-muh-rahyz]
1. to hypnotize.
2. to spellbind; fascinate.
3. to compel by fascination.

Others words:
enthrall
fascinate
hypnotize
stupefy

Typically when someone is fascinated by something, you assume it is something good. But this movie I think was the exact opposite. It was a series of videos basically showing the metaphorical bad of what was happening in the world at that time. Yet I still couldn't look away. I don't know if it was because I was amazed by what was happening, or anxious for what would show up on the screen next, but I was mesmerized by it none-the-less. I t brought to my attention the issues of our reality at that time, and made me realize what we had done to 'fix' some of the issues, and what we hadn't done to make some of the issues even worse today. I imagine the other movies related to this one show even more relateable things to my lifetime and experience thus far. Regardless, I was still fascinated with what was happening. Kind of like when you watch Criminal Minds or visit a memorial, it is still interesting to learn more about what has happened, even if it is bad.