Cities And Memory

Azul means “hello” in Berber. Azul – Two Worlds is inspired by Akassar, a traditional Berber song recorded in 1961 as part of the Oxford University Expedition to the Atlas Mountains, now preserved in the Pitt Rivers Museum archive. When I first heard the field recording, its melodies and rhythms unexpectedly resonated with elements of traditional Korean music, evoking both familiarity and wonder. This connection inspired me to explore the cultural and historical context of the Berber people, whose long oral traditions and deep historical roots mirror the ancient musical heritage of Korea.Guided by a respect for the original material, I sought to preserve its melodic character, rhythmic vitality, and live, organic texture. I layered improvisational gayageum and a variety of Asian percussion instruments with the field recording, using minimal reverb only to enhance spatial cohesion while keeping the recording prominent. Subtle quotations of the Korean folk song Kwaejina Chingching and traditional kkwaenggwari