Koyaanisqatsi (1982) is a documentary without dialogue, examining the contrasts between our technologically advanced urban life and vast natural landscapes. Director Godfrey Reggio and minimalist composer Philip Glass invite myriad interpretations to their daring collaborative work as they transcend language barriers through the mediums of film and music.

Co-presented by the Lensic and SITE SANTA FE as part of the Innovative Thinker Series, experience the full film on the big screen come to life with a live performance of the score by the acclaimed Philip Glass Ensemble.

In 1975, two visionary artists—film director Godfrey Reggio and composer Philip Glass—came together to create Koyaanisqatsi, the first film in the QATSI trilogy. Named after the Hopi word meaning “life out of balance,” Koyaanisqatsi is an apocalyptic vision of the collision of urban life and technology versus the environment.

Often said to be meditative, the score for Koyaanisqatsi requires extremely precise concentration for live performance. The experience of the film is immeasurably enhanced by the intensity needed and the massive sound from the Ensemble for the score’s performance.

Philip Glass has always been interested in forging a new and deeply mutual relationship within film and music. Unlike conventional films which are completed before the musical score is written, Glass and filmmaker Godfrey Reggio worked together to form Koyaanisqatsi.

From their creative discussions, Glass wrote musical pieces that were paced by his very personal musical vision. Michael Riesman created musical demos in the studio which Reggio’s team would listen to with portable headphones while filming and editing found footage. In this way, the music and film were created without separation.