The Azaleas Project
translations and transformations of Kim Sowol

Poems

The Performance

Materials for The Azaleas Project were used in the September 17, 2026 Unpoetry at the Frye performance by María Dolores A. Matienzo (percussion and text), Tom Scully (guitar and prepared piano), and Noelle K. Chun (movement). The performance is an ekphrastic response to the Lotus L. Kang exhibition I hear the hollow boom of time at the Frye Art Museum in Seattle, Washington. In consultation with Eric M. Acosta (videographer and editing) of Unpoetry and Anna Buxton and Kathryn Reyes of the Frye, the performers spent time with Kang’s exhibition, work, and artist talks. Through this process, the performers prepared a score.

진달래꽃

나(na) 보기가(bogiga) 역겨워(yeokgyeowo)
가실(gasil) 때에는(ttaeeneun)
말없이(mareopsi) 고이(goi) 보내(bonae) 드리우리다 (deuriurida)

영변에(yeongbyeone) 약산(yaksan)
진달래꽃(jindallaekkot)
아름(areum) 따다(ttada) 가실(gasil) 길에(gire) 뿌리우리다(ppuriurida)

가시는(gasineun) 걸음(georeum) 걸음(georeum)
놓인(noin) 그(geu) 꽃을(kkocheul)
사뿐히(sappunhi) 즈려밟고(jeuryeobalgo) 가시옵소서(gasiopsoseo)

나(na) 보기가(bogiga) 역겨워(yeokgyeowo)
가실(gasil) 때에는(ttaeeneun)
죽어도(jugeodo) 아니(ani) 눈물(nunmul) 흘리우리다(heulliurida)

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