I found the editing and sound composition of the scenes which contained the water lapping the shore line (or possibly the water flowing past the videographers' legs, which caused a vortex of air and water to be trapped together therefore creating a "rippling" sound), and the truck dumping the rocks into the water to be the most thought provoking. I am intrigued because there is a clear contrast between the two scenes and yet, they are bonded through the recurring image of water. To better understand my reasoning, I will briefly describe the two scenes as I recall them in my mind. The scene of the water was peaceful and serene, and the only sound that was heard were the little ripples in the water. The style used was deadpan as the small ripples in the water were the only movement that was visible within the frame. Sand and small pebbles were visible beneath the ripples which determined a shallow depth.
The scene of the truck dumping rocks into the water was just that, except it occurred at half the speed (slow-motion). Sound associated with the clip was heard as would be in real time, and it coincided with the image being displayed (such as the splashes that were made when the large rocks hit the water). Additionally, the view or composition of the frame was set as such that it was deadpan in its delivery, however a low angle was used to accentuate the size of both the truck and rocks. The camera was also positioned directly behind the truck (at a safe distance of course) which allowed the viewer to see the rocks inside the dump truck bed as well as when they exited and hit the water.
Having described these scenes, I notice that the "water scene" was not modified where the "truck scene" was in slow motion. Also, the "truck scene" was shot from a low angle but the water was still visible, and the "water scene" was shot from a higher angle and the water was all the viewer could see. I understand that Smithson wants the viewer to create questions in their own mind and then try to answer them. Therefore, the question that stands out in my mind is, was this film trying to impose a sense of greater significance or the fact that the dump truck "dominated" the area because of its power and size? I think that the "sense of greater significance" is a key element which can be applied to both scenes. Water, to me, represents life. Only a small portion of the whole sea was seen within the "water scene" however it represents much more. The "truck scene" displayed the whole dump truck and much of the sea and surrounding area, however the truck in itself was only a tool used to shift the contents of the earth from one place to another making it rather insignificant in comparison. The truck does assist in changing the landscape so it could be viewed as a threat to nature. I do not view it in that way however, and think that the contrast between the "water and truck scenes" are, in their simplest form, a representation of how man can modify nature and construct something that is not harmful but rather artistic.
A response to the question which was posed by Carl Bogner, "Do you spiral in, or out?"
When I create a spiral, I spiral inward. Can this be viewed as my being closed-minded, or that I prefer to know my starting point before I complete the spiral? I like to have a goal and calculate the means of achieving it by knowing my boundaries. Determining a starting point allows me to put my skills in "check" and helps me to understand where I need improvement and further education / knowledge. The scene of the man running along the dirt / rock path toward the inner part of the spiral has come to mind as I write this. It is as if man runs toward a goal in life and ultimately ends up surrounded by the events which have molded him. In the same aspect, through the spiral, he (man) is able to turn around and follow the path in reverse which returns him to his starting point. I believe this represents the fact that man can choose to create a path which has a direction and purpose, but that he can also revert and end up right back where he started. An additional thought which I would like to propose is that the outermost point at which the spiral begins could be considered as the beginning of human life. The path of the spiral leading inward represents the path of life which every human needs to take, if he so chooses. The middle, or end of the spiral represents the end point at which man is surrounded by everything that has defined him as an individual or has affected him in some way. This end point represents the end of mans' journey, signifying death.
Life is a big spiral...learn to run around the boulders.
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