Sights & Sounds: KMRU

Mar 29, 2024

Common Discourse is a project designed to help others (and ourselves) think through creativity, focus, and intentional work—from Alex Tan & Alice Otieno.

Every Tuesday we share an idea from us, a quote from somebody else, and links worth sharing. On Fridays we invite a guest to share images from their camera roll and a sound that resonates with them.

“[Sound] is the most all embracing, forgiving and understanding thing that there is. In the full abstraction of it; it doesn’t ask any questions and you don’t have to explain yourself. It’s the one world that can cover all the emotional levels of you.” — Björk

By way of this project, I’ve been paying a lot more attention to sound recently. Sound as it relates to music. Sound as it related to silence, or the absence of it. And sound in relationship to images. What is seen when we listen? What is said, and what remains unsaid?

Today’s contribution from Kenyan-born, Berlin-based artist KMRU (Joseph Kamaru) puts these themes to the forefront. Throughout his practice, Joseph explores what it means to really listen to sounds that aren’t easily available to us, and to those that require a deeper attunement and focus.

My favourite sonic pieces he’s worked on are Stupor and Drawing Water, alongside a written piece on Benga Music, which speaks to old sounds weaving their way into new ones.

Here’s what he shared with us.

— Alice