Greetings. Welcome to another week in the arts in Cambodia, in which we discover what to do instead of staying in and watching television.

The arts week kicks off on Wednesday at Meta House, with a piano recital by Loo Bang Hean, from Kuala Lumpur, playing selections from Beethoven, Franck, Prokofiev and Messiaen from 8 pm.  To make a reservation call 077 787038.  $5/$2 (students).
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On Thursday evening L’Institute francais presents an exhibition opening of paintings and photos by Nou Sary entitled Homme et nature (Man and Nature), from 6.30 pm.  The theme of the show is the virtuous circle between nature and humanity.
More info

Showbox expands its artistic range on Friday night with Side Effect, a contemporary dance event presented by a new ensemble, the Aroha Dance Group, 6 pm.  You can find Showbox at #11, Street 330.
More info 

Saturday sees the presentation at L’Institute francais of a selection of Asian-French short films, in partnership with Kon Khmer Koun Khmer, from 5 pm.  The presentation is in two parts, the first representing French and the second representing Asia, with an emphasis on Cambodian cinema.  All films are in original language with English subtitles.  A Q&A session with Cambodian filmmakers will be held afterwards.  Free admission.
More info   Even more info

Finally, Sunday afternoon at 5 pm it’s time to sharpen pencils and order a round for Drink and Draw Cambodia, at Baitong Restaurant, #7 Street 360, between Norodom and 51.
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One we missed:  an exhibition by visual and comics artist Try Samphors which opened on 17 June at Rik Reay gallery space, #69c, St 178, a Khmer noodle restaurant open daily until noon.  Be quick: only until the end of the month.
More info      Even more info

One you might have missed: over at Art Radar Asia, Cambodian artist Amy Lee Sanford discusses her work and the state of Cambodian art today.

Don’t forget to book in advance for The Cambodian-American Friendship Concerts at the InterContinental Phnom Penh, presented by Cambodian Living Arts:  Boston Children’s Chorus on Tuesday 2 July and New York New Music Ensemble on Wednesday 3^rd.  Reservations and information: 023 986 032 or info@cambodianlivingarts.org
More info

Something else to look forward to is the Mahabharata Art Project, a dance performance under the auspices of Amrita Performing Arts, to be held July 12 and 13 at the National Theatre.  This project brings together dance artists from Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan, under the directorship of Hiroshi Koike.
More info        Even more info

And just a reminder of the exhibitions closing this week; your last chance to see:

A Thing of Smoke, Séra and Julianne Sibiski, at Romeet Gallery;
Blood and Sand: Erika Piñeros at Chinese House;
Enter, by Anida Yoeu Ali, of Studio Revolt, at The Insider Gallery, InterContinental Phnom Penh.

Check the on-going listings below for more details.

Make yours a creative week, support an artist near you!  And spread the word about Kumnooh, so we can build a better connected and stronger artistic community in Cambodia.  Thanks for your ongoing support.

Fabian Hipp

Kumnooh
fabianhipp@kumnooh.com

In brief: new and returning…

Piano recital by Loo Bang Hean,  Wednesday 26 from 8 pm at Meta House
More info

Homme et nature (Man and Nature) by Nou Sary, L’Institute francais, Thursday 27 from 6.30 pm.
More info

Side Effect, by the Aroha Dance Group at Showbox, Friday 28 at 6 pm.
More info

Asian-French short films at L’Institute francais with Kon Khmer Koun Khmer, Saturday 29 from 5 pm.
More info

Drink and Draw Cambodia, Sunday 30 from 5 pm at Baitong Restaurant.
More info

The Cambodian-American Friendship Concerts presented by Cambodia Living Arts at the InterContinental Phnom Penh: book now for shows July 2^nd and 3^rd.
More info

Ongoing….

A Thing of Smoke, a collaboration between French Khmer visual artist Séra and American poet Julianne Sibiski, at Romeet Gallery on St 178. Until 26 June.
More info

Circus skills workshops with Phare, the Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap, Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June at 4 pm.
More info

Try Samphors solo exhibition at Rik Reay gallery space, #69c, St 178, a Khmer noodle restaurant open daily until noon.  Until the end of the month.
More info      Even more info

Blood and Sand: Phnom Penh based photographer Erika Piñeros examines bullfighting in Colombia. Chinese House, Sisowath Quay. Until end of June.
More info

Enter, prints, textile-based installations and panoramic concepts by Anida Yoeu Ali, of Studio Revolt, at The Insider Gallery, InterContinental Phnom Penh. Until 30 June.
More info

LIFE IS- Snapshots of everyday life in modern day Cambodia, Daniel Rothenberg, photography exhibition opening at Meta House, Saturday at 6 pm. Until early July.
More info

Surviving, by emerging Khmer artist Chov Theanly, at Java Gallery & Café on Sihanouk Blvd. Until July 7.
More info

Sampot: The Collection of Small Things, by Chan Dany, at Sa Sa Bassac on Sotheros Blvd . Until 14 July.
More info

Elegy: Reflections on Angkor by John McDermott. The award-winning American photographer maintains his strong presence on the Siem Reap art scene with his mesmerizing monochromatic fine art images of Angkor taken between 1995-2009. Now exhibiting in three McDermott Galleries located in the Old Market Area, FCC Angkor Complex and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor.
More Info

Plae Pakaa, a program of 3 rotating performances of Cambodian traditional arts at the National Museum of Phnom Penh. A Cambodian Living Arts production. Every Friday and Saturday, 7 pm (May to September); Monday to Saturday, 7 pm (October to April).
More info

Phare Ponleu Selpak, the famous Cambodian circus school offers nightly performances in both Siem Reap and Battambang, on a rolling cycle of different works.
In Siem Reap: at 7.30 pm under the big top in Siem Reap, behind the Angkor National Museum, in front of Angkor Century Hotel.
More info
In Battambang: visual arts exhibition from 6.15 pm then circus show at 7 pm.
More info

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Greetings. Welcome to another week in the arts in Cambodia.

This week Meta House is hosting the Chop Shots Film Festival, featuring the best South East Asian documentaries for 2012, Wednesday 19th through to Friday 21st. Screenings commence at 6.30 pm, and are all in Khmer language with English subtitles. Free admission.
More info

In the midst of World Music Day, on Friday 21st, try to find time to get to a one night exhibition by graduates of Limkokwing University’s Professional Graphic Design program. White is my soul, but I prefer black is an installation exploring the relationship between different forms of physical and spiritual protection, simulating reality in daily Cambodian life. The venue is AD Commication, #37A, Street 118 near St 215/Nehru Blvd (on your right after the military gate), 6 pm to 9 pm.
More info

To mark American Independence Day on July 4th, Cambodian Living Arts is presenting The Cambodian-American Friendship Concerts at the InterContinental Phnom Penh, a musical expression of the cultural ties between Cambodian and the USA. On Tuesday 2nd, the Boston Children’s Chorus gives us Phnom Penh Nights, a selection of the best American choral music along with some Khmer songs added for the occasion. The following evening, Wednesday 3rd, the New York New Music Ensemble presents a similarly blended programme featuring the works of some of Cambodia’s most respected classical composers including Him Sophy, Chinary Ung and Sam Ang-Sam.

Tickets are on sale at Cambodian Living Arts (128-G9 Sothearos Blvd), InterContinental Phnom Penh (296 Blvd Mao Tse Toung) and Java Arts (56 Sihanouk Blvd). And if you get in quick and buy today you will be in a lucky draw for tickets to the regular Plae Pakaa traditional arts performances at the National Museum, T-shirts, bags and CDs. Reservations and information: 023 986 032 or info@cambodianlivingarts.org
More info

Boston Children’s Chorus in full flight.

Noted this week at The Diplomat is an interview with Kathryn Lejeune, director of the eagerly anticipated documentary Year 33 on the experiences of three Cambodian artists as they contribute to the rebirth of the Cambodian arts scene.

And for all our German readers, Cambodian American poet Kosal Khiev in Berlin: Zeit Online.

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Karin Weber Gallery opens a new exhibition this week, Saturday 22 June, entitled SITE/CAMBODIA, featuring five contemporary Cambodian artists Mao Soviet, Anida Yoeu Ali, Kim Hak, Sera and Srey Bandaul. The artists “navigate sites of change, displacement, melancholy, identity and spirituality, which speak to a Cambodia in transition”. Until 17th July.
More info

And if the rain stays away this evening, you could do worse than pop along to The Empire at 6.30 pm tonight to catch their screening of Andrei Tarkovsky’s masterpiece Solaris. St 130, near St 5.
More info

Make yours a creative week, support an artist near you!  And spread the word about Kumnooh, so we can build a better connected and stronger artistic community in Cambodia.  Thanks for your ongoing support.

Fabian Hipp

Kumnooh
fabianhipp@kumnooh.com

In brief: new and returning…

Chop Shots Film Festival, Meta House, Wed 19 – Fri 21 at 6.30 pm.
More info

Limkokwing University graphic design graduate exhibition, White is my soul but I prefer black. Friday 21^st only from 6 pm – 9 pm, at #37A, Street 118 near St 215/Nehru Blvd.
More info

The Cambodian-American Friendship Concerts presented by Cambodia Living Arts at the InterContinental Phnom Penh: book now for shows July 2^nd and 3^rd. Book TODAY to go in the lucky prize draw.
More info

Solaris, by Andrei Tarkovsky, at The Empire, Tuesday 18^th at 6.30 pm.
More info

Ongoing….

Ragamuffin’s Celebrate Life dinner and workshops on Friday 21 June. Please confirm bookings by 1 pm Thursday 20 to aleak[at]ragamuffinproject.org.
More info Even more info

Dina Chhan hosting workshops at Phnom Penh Community College, Sunday 23 June 23: Still Life Oil Painting and How to Draw with Charcoal. Book now.
More info

A Thing of Smoke, a collaboration between French Khmer visual artist Séra and American poet Julianne Sibiski, at Romeet Gallery on St 178. Until 26 June.
More info

Circus skills workshops with Phare, the Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap, Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June at 4 pm.
More info

Blood and Sand: Phnom Penh based photographer Erika Piñeros examines bullfighting in Colombia. Chinese House, Sisowath Quay. Until end of June.
More info

Enter, prints, textile-based installations and panoramic concepts by Anida Yoeu Ali, of Studio Revolt, at The Insider Gallery, InterContinental Phnom Penh. Until 30 June.
More info

LIFE IS- Snapshots of everyday life in modern day Cambodia, Daniel Rothenberg, photography exhibition opening at Meta House, Saturday at 6 pm. Until early July.
More info

Surviving, by emerging Khmer artist Chov Theanly, at Java Gallery & Café on Sihanouk Blvd. Until July 7.
More info

Sampot: The Collection of Small Things, by Chan Dany, at Sa Sa Bassac on Sotheros Blvd . Until 14 July.
More info

Elegy: Reflections on Angkor by John McDermott. The award-winning American photographer maintains his strong presence on the Siem Reap art scene with his mesmerizing monochromatic fine art images of Angkor taken between 1995-2009. Now exhibiting in three McDermott Galleries located in the Old Market Area, FCC Angkor Complex and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor.
More Info

Plae Pakaa, a program of 3 rotating performances of Cambodian traditional arts at the National Museum of Phnom Penh. A Cambodian Living Arts production. Every Friday and Saturday, 7 pm (May to September); Monday to Saturday, 7 pm (October to April).
More info

Phare Ponleu Selpak, the famous Cambodian circus school offers nightly performances in both Siem Reap and Battambang, on a rolling cycle of different works.
In Siem Reap: at 7.30 pm under the big top in Siem Reap, behind the Angkor National Museum, in front of Angkor Century Hotel.
More info
In Battambang: visual arts exhibition from 6.15 pm then circus show at 7 pm.
More info

Greetings:

Note: readers with little time may appreciate a new section in Kumnooh, In brief: new and returning, an at-a-glance look at the major arts events in Cambodia this week, which now appears after the blurb and before the Ongoing section.

There is only one opening in Phnom Penh this week, but it’s a big one. On Saturday night Meta House hosts the launch of LIFE IS – Snapshots of everyday life in modern day Cambodia, by New York-born-and-raised and now long time Cambodia resident Daniel Rothenberg. From the few pieces I’ve been fortunate to view, it’s a reflection of the spectrum from grind to joy in the daily street life in Cambodia, bright and vivid images of faces and action. The fun starts at 6 pm, with the bonus of music by Sophea and Sophheak Chomroeun (from Phnom Penh band Krom) and Friends from 7 pm.
More info

Wisdom walks, Daniel Rothenberg.

Returning to l’Institut français this weekend is Le temps d’une histoire, a monthly meeting celebrating stories, tales and children’s literature. A selection of stories across a wide range by Christophe Dellocque, all in French. Saturday at Cinéma de l’Institut français, 15h00.
More info

In Siem Reap, Phare, the Cambodian Circus is this month holding art workshops to teach basic circus skills. The hour long workshops, small group training with individual circus artists, will be held on 15/16 and 29/30 June. Minimum age 7 years.
More info

Looking ahead, Ragamuffin’s Celebrate Life dinner series returns on World Music Day, Friday 21 June at 6 pm. The event also includes special performances and a singing workshop. Early bookings are encouraged as spaces are limited and in demand. $10/$6 (for Cambodians). Contact ragamuffinproject [at] hotmail [dot] com or aleak [at] ragamuffinproject [dot] org.
More info Even more info

Also that weekend, artist Dina Chhan returns to Phnom Penh Community College to host another full day of workshops. Sunday 23 June 23 will see workshops on Still Life Oil Painting in the morning and How to Draw with Charcoal in the afternoon. Again, book early to avoid disappointment.
More info

On the international front, congratulations go to Oeur Sokuntevy on her new exhibition opening in at Utterly Art in Singapore this week: Feeding Cambodia. The show runs from 13 June to 23 June, just in case you’re dropping by. Meanwhile, over at the Bose Archives blog, check out these interviews with emerging Khmer artists Tith Kanitha and Yim Maline, on their residencies in New York as part of the Seasons of Cambodia in Residence programme. And this blog interview with Kathryn Lejeune, a filmmaker whose latest work, Year 33, is a documentary about the arts revival in Cambodia, focusing on the life and work of three young Khmer artists. The trailer looks fantastic.

And this just in: an article in the Siem Reap Insider on a new young painter, Phok Sopheap (AKA Bee), on his residency at The 1961 in Siem Reap.

Make yours a creative week, support an artist near you! And spread the word about Kumnooh, so we can build a better connected and stronger artistic community in Cambodia. Thanks for your ongoing support.

Fabian Hipp
Kumnooh

fabianhipp@kumnooh.com

In brief: new and returning…

LIFE IS– Snapshots of everyday life in modern day Cambodia, Daniel Rothenberg, photography exhibition opening at Meta House, Saturday at 6 pm.
More info

Le temps d’une histoire, celebration of stories in French with Christophe Dellocque, Cinéma de l’Institut français, Saturday at 15h00.
More info

Circus skills workshops with Phare, the Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap, Saturday and Sunday at 4 pm.
More info

Ragamuffin’s Celebrate Life dinner and workshops on 21 June – bookings now open.
More info Even more info

Dina Chhan hosting workshops at Phnom Penh Community College, Sunday 23 June 23: Still Life Oil Painting and How to Draw with Charcoal. Bookings now open.
More info

Ongoing…

Quest for Land: photography of Phnom Penh based photographer John Vink with text provided by Robert Carmichael. Meta House (Gallery), Sothearos Blvd. Until 13 June.
More info Even more info

A Thing of Smoke, a collaboration between French Khmer visual artist Séra and American poet Julianne Sibiski, at Romeet Gallery on St 178. Until 26 June.
More info

Blood and Sand: Phnom Penh based photographer Erika Piñeros examines bullfighting in Colombia. Chinese House, Sisowath Quay. Until end of June.
More info

Enter, prints, textile-based installations and panoramic concepts by Anida Yoeu Ali, of Studio Revolt, at The Insider Gallery, InterContinental Phnom Penh. Until 30 June.
More info

Surviving, by emerging Khmer artist Chov Theanly, at Java Gallery & Café on Sihanouk Blvd. Until July 7.
More info

Sampot: The Collection of Small Things, by Chan Dany, at Sa Sa Bassac on Sotheros Blvd . Until 14 July.
More info

Plae Pakaa, a program of 3 rotating performances of Cambodian traditional arts at the National Museum of Phnom Penh. A Cambodian Living Arts production. Every Friday and Saturday, 7 pm (May to September); Monday to Saturday, 7 pm (October to April).
More info

Phare, The Cambodian Circus: the famous artists from Phare Ponleu Selpak perform a one hour show every night at 7.30 pm under the big top in Siem Reap, behind the Angkor National Museum, in front of Angkor Century Hotel.
More info

Greetings:

It has come to our attention that we have overlooked mentioning a dance workshop being offered by the collective Common Sole on Sunday 9th June at the Circus School of Phnom Penh (near the Naga World Complex, across the street from the National Assembly, next to the PBC bookshop.  Register for the Contact Improvisation Workshop, facilitated by Daniel Mang, by contacting Eric at imprudanz [at] gmail [dot] com or commonsoles [at] gmail [dot] com or +855 972834395.
More info      Even more info

Reminders:

Through to Sunday:  Memory International Film Heritage Festival at Chaktomuk Theatre and Bophana Centre
More info         Even more info

Saturday:  Exiled to Nowhere, by photojournalist Greg Constantine at Meta House.
More info           Even more info

Friday and Saturday: French theatre, Musee haut musee bas at the Department of Performing Arts, behind Parkway Centre, with access through St 173.

signing off,

Fabian Hipp
Kumnooh

fabianhipp@kumnooh.com