Tag Archives: Sirenomelia

Week 11: Sirenomelia

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The short film assigned for this week’s blog and in class discussion was honestly quite confusing at first but the word I would use to describe the film is eerie and/or haunting. I think that this film shines light on the idea that the human population truly does not know what lies in the depths of the ocean. The idea that there could be something possibly there in the water with you and you not knowing is something that frightens many individuals, I included at times, and I think that the film only displaying murky unclear water emphasizes this fear. As well, aids in enhancing the fear that many individuals can have about the ocean because our senses are being stripped away when being under the water, when out in the open ocean an individual can neither touch, smell, taste, anything and the only sense available is sight but even then it is affected by the salt water. So the only sense present under the water is hearing, which honestly is the worst of all because the idea of being in the middle of the ocean and randomly hearing sounds like in the video would send chills down anyone’s spine. I think this aids in answering the idea and question as to which scientists are not exploring the deep ocean and why we do not know as much about the ocean compared to everything else we know about this planet and even space. It’s the idea and fear of the unknown, the idea that you are going into “new territory” and not knowing what is there. I think this video displays that humans will truly never understand the complexity that is of the ocean whether that is because they choose not to because they physically cannot or whether fear is hindering them, but I find it amusing because humans are so “territorial” and want to claim everything so that makes me wonder why they choose not to explore the ocean. Or even question if maybe there is something in the water that they do not want to discover out of fear because after all NASA’s original purpose was to discover the ocean, so it make me wonder if maybe there is something hiding in the deep murky water. 

Week 11 — Sirenomelia

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After watching Sirernomelia for the first time I was thoroughly confused and remotely scared to be honest. I had a wide variety of mixed feelings and was surprised it didn’t show a mermaid until the latter half of the video. I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking at during the kaleidoscope scene, but I would imagine it was a satellite or a telescope of some sorts. This made me question what it has to do with mermaids or the video in general, which made me realize that the same level of fear and confusion I am feeling about these above-water shots of manmade structures is similar to how many people feel about the ocean. This goes back to what we were talking about last week in that so much of the ocean is unexplored and unknown, it is a foreign entity in our backyard that we don’t know much about. I believe this video was trying to instill this same mindset in the viewers, while at the same time relating that feeling to random man made structures that are above water; simply because it is unknown does not mean that it has to be intimidating. On the other hand, I felt like the ocean was portrayed as a bit scary, especially with the scene where all the water went black and looked like oil spilled (although I believe it was just editing). This reminds me of some of the old and original paintings we saw in class of the ocean being a scary mess that did not appear inviting. Being that I try to get in the water everyday I like to think of the ocean in a bit different light, but all things considered I am normally in much warmer water with more people and more marine life around me. Another thing to consider too is that although it’s cold, dark, and scary, there is obviously plant life existing along the structures there. I can’t confidently say whether it’s kelp or a type of algae, but either of those typically serve as the bottom of the food chain for larger fish and animals. This means that as barren as this undisclosed location seems, there is probably a much larger ecosystem at play that is not being captured in the film.

Week 11: Sirenomelia

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After viewing this video I was honestly left slightly confused but also interested. Analyzing the video led me to realize that it exemplifies how humans tend to only look at the surface and not dive into “the deep” or what is below the surface. While there is a lot to explore on the surface, as seen through the mountain ranges and roads, there is so much below the surface that humans have not yet discovered. The mermaid in the video represents this unknown world. Through developing technology and investing in research humans can learn so much about the ocean and what life is like below the surface. Whether it is because of fear, disinterest, or lack of technology, humans have not put the effort into learning about the ocean as they have in learning about space and all things above the surface. The mermaid in the video is seen swimming through a river and looking up at a bridge. They are looking at manmade items and connecting themselves to the human world. The camera angle of the mermaid looking up represents their interest in the human world. If humans would look down, we would be much more connected to what makes up over 70% of the Earth, the Ocean.

Week 11: Sirenomelia

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This short film left me with wonder and confusion while it also demonstrated a great sense of complexity. I felt that it was a bit difficult to follow, but the key idea is the depth of the oceans and how much is left unknown. It brings forth examples of climate change by showing the warming temperatures affecting climates around the world. It is a common idea that we know the effects of climate change, but it reality we only know bits and pieces. Sirenomelia reminded us how big the ocean is and how much life can be held within. Hard to say that humans will ever fully comprehend the ocean and all the organisms that come with it. With that being said, I think this film strives to encourage proceeding with caution and be intentional in our involvement with this underworld.

We often discuss how humans intend to dominate, maintain control and are of a higher power than nonhumans. The constant comparison, especially in literary work we have studied, goes to show how humans comprehend this power dynamic. When really there is clearly a lack of understanding, and maybe even misunderstanding when it comes to other creatures. This can be demonstrated through mermaid, but also through ocean dwelling animals. There is a lot to understand in this film that can surely be brought back to the relationships with climate and humans.