Azam Ali is an Iranian musician, and part of my favorite world music group, called Niyaz.
This week in study, I would like you to let this amazing video play in the background as you muse over the music and imagery. It is a good two hour collection of her work set to beautiful footage of different cultures around the world. I want you to write an article describing what you see in the footage, and what the music makes you think about.
The footage is on a loop so let it play in the background as long as you wish.
Post this article in the comments below. You have until Monday 17 to complete this study.
NOTE: The Weekly Study is mandatory for the Upper Echelon, but optional for pets. Participation in the Weekly Study is regarded as Proof of Devotion and Personal Integrity.
I will admit before I go any further in this article, that for the first time there was a type of music, and scenery that made me fall asleep. but let me explain. It wasn't out of boredom, it was due to the fact that the music playing was so peaceful and serene that it actually took me on a journey that I didn't think could or would happen to me.
ReplyDeleteThe stress of my everyday life kind of seeped out of my skin as if I was cut and the blood was my stress. From work stress, to home stress, all of it. And as I finally fell asleep it was the most peaceful time I have ever had in my life. It was as though I were dead, and there was no more pain, or sorrow, or any other emotion that controls what I do in my life. Once I woke up and realized what had happened, I decided to start the video over again, because I had missed so much when it came to the scenery, but as for the music, when it played over again, the same calmness fell over me, only this time, I was awake through the entire thing.
As I began my journey second time, my senses became more aware of what was in the video. The vibrant color scheme of not only the sunset and sunrise, but also the different shades of blues and greens coming from the reflections of the water. The one thing that intrigued me throughout the entire video was the woman that was a part of every aspect of the video. To me if felt as if this woman was in a sense Peace and Harmony. In the video there was no war, no struggle, and no chaos.
There were mighty structures that showed age over time. Structures at one time may have been involved in war, or a struggle or some sort of chaos. but these structures were built with a keen sense of imagination. Not just thrown up anywhere. At one time these structures were probably built to ward off the struggles and chaos of the world they lived in, and now they stand there, with intricate detail, a thing of beauty and history.
As I allowed the music to take me further on my journey, I also couldn't help but notice the people that were also a part of the video. There was no modern technology to speak of. No electricity, no TV, and yet they live their lives in peace and harmony. It is not to say that they don't have their own sense of war and chaos, but they seem to be able to cope with it better than we do.They exist because of their strong beliefs in tradition. They enjoy celebrations with vibrant colors for the traditions they so believe in to keep them alive. Everything they did was by hand. Something that in today's world, we take for granted because we use modern technology to exist ourselves. But the one thing I did think about was, what would happen if all this technology were to be destroyed. Could we as a culture exist the same way these cultures do. Who would actually be on top of the human food chain now? The answer isn't quite as difficult as it may sound.
But the emotions hit an all time high when I watched the grace and beauty of the animals we ourselves do not even take a second glance to. How these animals such as the puma, the wolves, the eagles, leopards, are all preyed upon by us, but worshiped by the natives of this land. Just about every animal in this video is on the endangered species list because they are hunted not for food, but for monetary gain by us. To finally see the woman who I called Peace and Harmony coexist with these animals brought a tear to my eye as I watched her be at peace with each animal she came in contact with. To me that shows a sign that once again we will be able to live with these creatures, see them as a sign of hope in our dreams, and we should, like so many other cultures worship the ground they walk on, and the air they fly through.
The Earth is too beautiful to destroy due to our own needs. It's understandable that we need resources in order to live, but these cultures show us that there are ways to conserve what we need to survive, and if we don't there will be nothing left but rubble.
It is likely that I should write some sort of introduction for this, but I was never one to see the point, and I never went into journalism in any fashion, so I am uncertain if an ''article” even really needs one. My point being, this is my introduction, and now I shall get right to the point of this.
ReplyDeleteI was told to describe what I see in the footage of this music video, but since, if I did that I would end up simply describing the areas and the movement as though it were a book that I was writing I will simply write what I believe the ones who made this music, and this video were thinking and/or hoped to accomplish.
We, as a general western culture (I apologize to anyone not of this western culture, or who. like myself, do not consider yourself as such.) do not often think of the impact that we have on the world, or the impact that we COULD have on those in it were we to think about it. The video footage here shows the world. True, it is romanticized version of the Earth that it shows, but it displays the world fairly accurately as far as my knowledge goes. It shows the landscape, the animals, the people.
Primarily this video displays what are commonly called “Third World” areas, countries, animals, peoples. This is clever, as I said before most people in North America, Europe, and other more heavily populated and industrialized areas tend not to think about these places or people. But, the video shows the animals, people, and places in a light that shows off the beauty that is already there in an expert manner. The landmarks and animals are often shown together with the dancing woman, casting it all together in the same beautiful, sometimes even sensual manner, not because of the woman, but only magnified by her. The people are almost exclusively shown with this woman, though she is rarely dancing.
The purpose of the footage I believe, is to make people aware of those places, animals and, especially, other people, that are so rarely thought of. It is meant to show the beauty of the world and to give people who's lives are so small, centred around a hundred little shining screens (Of which I am unfortunately a part of.) a taste of the world around them that they so easily ignore, hearing of things done to the animals, lands, and peoples of these areas, and then simply say “That is so sad.”Or, “oh no.” And then turn back to their cell phones, computer and television screens, or cars.
I am now told to write what the music makes me think about. This woman's style of music and her voice makes me think of one of my own favourite musical artists, who I will share if asked. Her music is soft for the most part, mixed with types of instruments which have been around for as long as humanity's memory and farther, drums, flutes, stringed instruments. And, if I a hearing correctly, a synthesizer. The music is blended well with the synthesizer generally staying in the background to simply enhance the sounds of the more traditional instruments.
In all, I think that all of this, the music, the video, the message. I believe that it all blends together well, displaying what it is mean to display the way that is meant to. But I do not believe that it will do anything to change the world, I believe that it will simply be what it is at its root. A beautiful video accompanied by beautiful music. I may be wrong, I hope that I am. But this general failure to act that I have spoken of is what I have seen from human beings, and until I stop seeing it, I will continue to expect it.
As an alien species studying the Earth, I am fascinated by the natural effect of evolution, and what it has produced here. I see simple microbial life forms; bacteria and viruses, which can adapt rapidly and spread quickly. I see mammals, reptiles and birds which develope a wide variety of survival skills, and how epic it is to watch them compete. Until the champions arise, and what bizarre creatures they are. These humans don't move like other animals, they don't behave logically. The are a crafty, engineering species with such complex brains as to create art and poetry, a sense of spirituality, an understanding of things far beyond their own domain. A creature no taller than six feet weighing 135lbs which can have a working knowledge of the galaxy it’s solar system is a tiny part of.
ReplyDeleteI am a creature of music. I see life forms that grunt and snort; bark off loud obnoxious noises purely by instinct and for the sake of making noise. Chirping in caves in order to navigate, or roaring in the grasslands to intimidate competitors. But the human language contains rhyme and rhythm. Sounds which are recognized as distinctly beautiful and exploited for that very beauty. It requires abstract thinking and conceptual pattern recognition to write a poem, and It requires a dedicated conscious effort to sing a song, the way humans do. It requires something beyond the primitive survival skills of the other animals. Tallent. Creativity. I am fascinated by the phenomena of culture, and seeing the different characteristics that emerge from humans inhabiting different parts of the planet. The adaptation to desert environments such as Persia and India, and how the clothing that these creatures fabricate differs from those in the North American frontier. The inspirations humans can take from other animals, and the creative things they do with that inspiration. The music they make. The artwork that is humanity.
I too am an artist, and I see a biological masterpiece before me. Skin containing highly sensitive nerves, is touchably soft as if its soul purpose is to be touched. The proportions of the human body, the way its parts articulate, is as if it were finely tuned by nature for dance, and intimacy, and for performance. Humans can be as graceful as a minx, or as dangerous as a wolf. They can dedicate their mind and body to ballet, or martial arts. Humans are no where near as strong as a horse, but they are capable of sprinting for longer distances. The human condition endures, and it can be refined, perfected, and specialized by preference.
Humans are magical creatures. If only they were as inspiring to themselves, as they are to me.