Greetings,
Ladies and gentlemen of the Kumnooh readership, some of you may be aware that May marks our sixth birthday. Many guides and many venues have come and gone in that time, as a recent overdue refresh of the website kumnooh.com has highlighted. This month will also see the relaunch of our sister publication, the gig guide LengPleng.
There are changes afoot, including the move to an unsubsidised mailing list provider, and we are choosing this moment to announce the introduction of an instrument of support for our efforts.
We are now accepting donations for the on-going work of Kumnooh, which can be made either via payment to fabianhipp@kumnooh.com at Paypal, or alternatively in cash which can be arranged by emailing to the same address. Your small contributions will help continue our free and advertising free service into the great, wide future of contemporary arts in Cambodia.
And on with the show(s):
The regular Thursday night event for the enigmatic Number 26 Art Shop Gallery on St 118, just off the riverside, this week features a poetry reading by Phnom Penh poet Scott Bywater. From 8 pm.
More info
Also on Thursday 9, the Phnom Penh Players will be joining the Cambodia pride celebrations with an evening of songs and dances from Shanghai Cabaret at POC Bar, St 15. 8.30 pm, $5 at the door.
More info
On Saturday 11, at 7 pm, the opening of illusions/dis/illusions by Erick Gonzalez at Bong the Gallery (Sothearos Blvd, just north of St 178), an intriguing collection of high concept pieces, objects, optical art, painting and installation. “I started creating art from my own vision of my society, of my daily reality. Then, with the years of experience and artistic evolution, I try to make of my works a reflection of the society in which I live. Without judgments. Without answers. Sometimes I hit, sometimes I’m wrong, but that’s part of the process. There is nothing to regret. I just try to show people what I see of them and of the society. I think art can help to find sense to this life. Art is also a source of knowledge.” Check the Good Times 2 supplement of the Khmer Times this Friday for more on Erick and his exhibition.
More info
Coming soon:
- At the French Institute, Shadows and lights, renowned photographer Klavdij Sluban with the young photographers of the Royal University of Fine Arts and le Studio Images, opening on May 23
- summer charity concert by choir Musica Felice at Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, June 2, tickets now on sale
See you about…
Fabian Hipp
Kumnooh
fabianhipp@kumnooh.com
If you are a venue or artist and would like to receive a weekly reminder to provide Kumnooh with an upcoming event or activity, please contact fabianhipp@kumnooh.com and ask to be added to the venue/artists list.
In brief: new and returning…
Thursday 9, 8 pm at Number 26 Art Shop Gallery (St 118, just off the riverside), a poetry reading by Phnom Penh poet Scott Bywater.
More info
Thursday 9, 8.30 pm at POC Bar, St 15, the Phnom Penh Players present with an evening of songs and dances from Shanghai Cabaret . $5 at the door.
More info
Saturday 11, 7 pm at Bong the Gallery (Sothearos Blvd, just north of St 178), the opening of illusions/dis/illusions by Erick Gonzalez an intriguing collection of high concept pieces, objects, optical art, painting and installation.
More info
Ongoing…. exhibitions, dance performances and others
Exhibitions:
At Java Independence, Micro Organics, an exhibition by Yim Maline. “Yim Maline’s artwork starts with walking. Walking through natural spaces, undisturbed by human intervention. The shapes and colors of flowers, roots, and trees that she observes form the basis of her compositions. It is in these quiet landscapes that Maline seeks a reconciliation with her personal history and the cycles and resilience of nature. This exhibition is included in the programme Landscape Afterwar(d)s.” Until 21 June.
More info
At Bophana Center, Landscapes Afterwar(d)s, organised by Soko Phay and Patrick Nardin, “bringing together the artworks resulting from two workshops held in 2017 at the Royal University of Fine Arts. […] A group of young artists, both Cambodian and international, who have worked within the program’s context and on the memory of places, especially that of Phnom Penh, a city in constant turmoil. Their photographs, videos and installations show how they recognize themselves in the events of the past, through different types of archives, vestiges and testimonies. The diversity and polysemy of their works also testifies to the transition from the I to the We, from an intimate experience to a greater collective consciousness.” Until May 25.
More info
At Imag’in Café-Photo-Galerie on St 93, a photographic exhibition, Transition, by Martin Jacquemin, exploring the changes affecting the Cham community living on the banks of the Mekong River.
More info
At ARTillery Café on St 240½, an exhibition of woodcut artworks by Kek Soon, Bou’Sra Series.
More info
In Siem Reap, at MIRAGE Contemporary Art Space, A place for us, a group exhibition by artists of Open Studio Cambodia, based in Kampot – featuring work by Chan Phoun, Morn Chear, Pav Rasmey, Yim Mary, Long Lavy, Srey Norp, Rath Rathana and Lauren Iida. “Every piece unravels a story for the viewer, often autobiographical, from anecdotal to epic, uplifting to tragic to otherworldly.” Until 10 June.
More info
At TRIBE Cambodia, in Siem Reap, Elements, the first exhibition in Cambodia by UK artist Carne Griffiths. Until 31 May.
More info
At the Kampot Art Gallery, Kampot: The Changing Landscape. “Neak Sophal and Kong Vollak have created a unique exhibition looking at Kampot and the impact of past, present and future.”
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 1995-2014. Now exhibiting in two McDermott Galleries located at FCC Angkor and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor.
More info
Dance:
Every Thursday and Friday, 6.30 pm at Counterspace Theatre, Java Creative Café Tuol Tom Pong, the dance company Sophiline Arts Ensemble presents performances of Cambodian dance. “Featuring a stellar cast dressed in fanciful costumes, The Lives of Giants is a contemporary meditation on bullying, cycles of violence, and the responsibilities of wielding power.” Tickets $18.
More info
Saturdays and Sundays, 6.30 pm at Counterspace Theatre, Java Creative Café Tuol Tom Pong, Prumsodun Ok and NATYARASA present performances of Vajramala – Spirit of Khmer Dance. Tickets $25.
More info
Dance Academy Cambodia has a wide range of dance classes through the week at Urban Tower, 5th Floor, #20 Street 51 (opposite Blue Dog, near The Place).
More info
New Cambodian Artists in Siem Reap present weekly performances of contemporary dance every Saturday.
More info
The Traditional Dance Show, presented by Cambodian Living Arts, takes place at the National Museum stage. The hour-long performance showcases classical and folk dances from across Cambodia, including the famous Apsara. Every night Monday-Saturday (October-April) and every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (May to September).
More info
Other:
The Kok Thlok arts organisation is presenting twice weekly shadow puppet and Khmer theatre performances at the National Library, St 61, every Friday and Sunday at 6.30 pm. Kok Thlok are offering a membership card, with an annual fee of $30, that provides unlimited access (including for family members or two friends) to the rolling programme planned over the next four years to present the 24 forms of traditional theatre.
More info
N o w h e r e Gallery presents frequent workshops such as Self Portrait Acrylic on Canvas, Bookbinding for beginners and Brush lettering for beginners. Bookings always essential, spaces limited. Mostly Saturdays and Sundays although occasionally midweek.
The theatrical group the Francophone Troupe of Phnom Penh is holding a theatre workshops at 6.30 pm every Wednesday at Restaurant 63 Bassac, on St 308. Sessions are in French but perfect French is not required. $10/session (2 hours).
More info
Every Saturday at 5 pm, Bophana Center presents Cine Saturday. Programme changes every week, across a wide range of cinema experiences.
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Most Sundays (and occasionally Saturdays) Khmer Architecture Tours presents a range of the architectural wonders of Phnom Penh. 8.30 am start, reservations essential.
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Performing arts courses at Brighton International School (#79 street 310) for ages 4 – 6 and 7 – 11 – singing, dancing, acting, every Saturday.
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Fortnightly on Wednesdays, at Cloud, a poetry writing workshop hosted by Jessica of Feminist Voices Phnom Penh for anyone looking to expand their writing, find their voice and build confidence. Please bring something to write with.
More info
New art programmes for children from three years old and up is now underway at Ocarina School led by a certified art teacher, Océane. “Ocarina is the first and only French-speaking activities center offering French standard after-school music and art curriculums for children from 6 months to 17 years old.”
More info
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