December 18, 2017 American Cinematographer Magazine Review

LINK TO FULL ARTICLE: https://ascmag.com/blog/parallax-view/paul-goldsmith-asc-and-the-rock-art-of-the-cosos

Winter 2017-18 Issue, American Archaeology Magazine

June 15, 2014 Los Angeles Times article profiling Coso rock art

Reviews

Goldsmith’s intriguing documentary, Talking Stone: Rock Art of the Cosos is a visually engaging example of ethnographic “multivocality”  at its best. Unable to interview the creators of petroglyphs made thousands of years ago by the now-extinct Coso people, Goldsmith instead reveals what the mysterious images mean not only to Native Californians and archaeologists today, butto hunters, artists, clinical psychologists, and even to the U.S. Navy, on whose missile testing grounds the rock art now remains protected. “Talking Stone” should appeal to audiences of all ages, from elementary school children to adults, interested in Native American cultures, archaeology, rock art, and the desert environment of the American West.

Nancy Lutkehaus, Ph.D.

Co-Director, Center for Visual Anthropology

University of Southern California

Talking Stone is a remarkable synthesis of archaeology, indigenous history, and the American landscape.  Paul Goldsmith’s portrait of rock art in the California desert brings to life these evocative talismans of an ancient world. Using the voices and perspectives of modern native people, scholars, hunters, and even the military officers who are stewards of this remote terrain, he infuses education about the past with a sense of wonder.  As he did with 6 Generations, Goldsmith finds a story that speaks to many audience and tells it with skill and insight.

Dr. James E Snead

Assistant Professor

CSUN

I think the most powerful aspect is that people seem to feel the immensity of the experiences encoded in the petroglyphs despite the impenetrability of the specifics.

December 18, 2017 American Cinematographer Magazine review

Wendy Osher

Artist