Circuit 02: Zephyra and the Whisper, by Jasmin Bauomy

Magical realism serves as a creative vehicle for exploring human connection and the internal landscape of thoughts. Audio producer Jasmin Bauomy, an Egyptian-German artist, utilizes the character of Zephyra—a restless wind djinn—to illustrate how the collection of human fears, hopes, and whispers can evolve into unexpected companionship. The narrative follows Zephyra’s journey with a "love-thirsty" whisper that finds fulfillment not through traditional romance, but through shared mischief and playfulness. This creative process involved a unique collaboration with generative AI as a brainstorming partner to flesh out character motivations while the producer was working in isolation. The project highlights the "listening with" philosophy, emphasizing a deep, participatory engagement with the world's sounds and stories. Bauomy’s work has since expanded into a multilingual universe, with longer iterations in German and Arabic that continue to build on the fantastical bond between the wind and the whisper.