The title Asa Nisi Masa is taken from Frederico Fellini's film 8 1/2. Toward the middle of the film, a group of children are put to bed. One of the boys begins to stare at a portrait on the wall while his sister chants "ASA NISI MASA." The repeated spell is intended to make the eyes of the portrait's subject come to life. The general idea of transformation through repetition is central to this work, especially in the opening section.
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