Greetings:
Thursday 24, 6 pm at the French Institute, the opening of the 10th annual Phnom Penh Photo Festival – which will continue for one month at multiple locations, including Bophana Center and Futures Factory. “An important intercultural exchange between European and Asian photographers, Photo Phnom Penh remains the major photography rendez-vous in South-East Asia.”
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Thursday 24, 6 pm at Bong the Gallery, the opening of Dark Matter, an exhibition featuring works by Douglas Victor, textured and abstract paintings on canvas. “Dark matter, a component of the universe whose presence is discerned from its gravitational attraction rather than its luminosity,and we don’t know its nature yet. Currently many experiments around the world are searching for dark matter and we hope that in the near future we will solve the mystery of dark matter and understand its properties.”
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Also Thursday 24, at 7.30 pm, Bluebird poetry night is back, this time in ColdCat bar, Street 155 near Russian Market. Self-expression, poetry and spoken word; music, words, imagery, body expression — everything is allowed.
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Thursday 24 – Saturday 26, 7 pm at Sovanna Phum Arts Association, The Phnom Penh Players’ next show: 3 Steps to Supernova, “an original psychological drama on mental health and the perils of irresponsibility.” Tickets $10 on sale at The Box Office – Phnom Penh, Cloud, Teddy Bear Restaurant and KBach Gallery.
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On Friday 25, as part of Phnom Penh Photo Festival, the grand opening of Sra’Art Studio, #7/9 Sotheros Boulevard, three doors down from Wat Unaloam, featuring the work of ten renowned Cambodian photographers: Kaksok Phirom, Khun Vannak, Khvay Samnang, Lim Sokchanlina, Mak Remissa, Mech Sereyrath, Neak Sophal, Pha Lina, Sovan Philong, Sorn Seyhaktit, alongside works by acclaimed international artist Anna Katharina Scheidegger. From 7 pm, through to November 26.
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Saturday 26, 10 am, a Sip and Paint workshop at The Bridge SOHO, level 13, with Charity of Zyct Artistry – beginner friendly. $23, includes art supplies, drinks and snacks.
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Monday 28, from 7.30 pm, Drink and Draw at Cloud – $4 for two hours with a life model in multiple poses.
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Coming soon:
- November 1 – 3, the 16th International Music Festival Phnom Penh, marking the 200th birthday of Clara Schumann by highlighting works by European female composers, at Hotel Raffles – Le Royale.
- November 2, Exhibiting the Contested Modern in Post-independence Cambodia, an artist talk by Vuth Lyno, artist, curator and artistic director of Sa Sa Art Projects. In Khmer with English translation, at Dambaul, #18E3 (3rd floor), Sothearos Blvd, near Wat Ounalom.
For a more rock’n’roll view of Phnom Penh and the wider Cambodian music scene, please check out our sister publication lengpleng.com, the long running live music gig guide.
Note: 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.
Are we missing something? Let us know at fabianhipp@kumnooh.com.
See you about…
Fabian Hipp
Kumnooh
fabianhipp@kumnooh.com
In brief: new and returning…
Thursday 24, 6 pm at the French Institute, the opening of the 10th annual Phnom Penh Photo Festival .
More info
Thursday 24, 6 pm at Bong the Gallery, the opening of Dark Matter, an exhibition featuring works by Douglas Victor, textured and abstract paintings on canvas.
Thursday 24, 7.30 pm at ColdCart bar, Bluebird poetry night is back: self-expression, poetry and spoken word.
Thursday 24 – Saturday 26, 7 pm at Sovanna Phum Arts Association, The Phnom Penh Players’ present 3 Steps to Supernova
More info
Saturday 26, 10 am, a Sip and Paint workshop at The Bridge SOHO, level 13, with Charity of Zyct Artistry.
Monday 28, from 7.30 pm, Drink and Draw at Cloud – $4 for two hours with a life model in multiple poses.
More info
Ongoing…. exhibitions, dance performances and others
Exhibitions:
At House of Scott, Standing Rubble, an exhibition by Rena Chheang in collaboration with Limhay Chhum showcasing Phnom Penh in two contrasting points of view: characteristic colonial buildings and complex futuristic representations.
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Folding Concrete, an exhibition on Cambodian modern architecture and urbanism curated by Pen Sereypagna and Vuth Lyno. The address is
122E4, alley lane behind St 107 (Sok Hok), south west of the Charles de Gaulle Blvd and Monivong Blvd intersection. “Folding Concrete presents some interwoven narratives of modernism in Cambodia through architecture and urbanism and their social and cultural histories. The exhibition primarily considers the period of post-independence during the 1950s-70s, yet also extends its view back to the prior late colonial period and forward to the present time.” Until 3 November.
At Meta House, I Am A Daughter, a photo series by Cambodian journalist / photographer Mech Sereyrath, “aiming to discover the challenges which Cambodian girls encounter when they pursue their dreams. Sereyrath graduated from the Department of Media and Communications of the Royal University of Phnom Penh in 2018. She has exhibited her works with a social/environmental cause in Phnom Penh and other Cambodian cities.”
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At Sa Sa Art Projects, Ricefield Mirages, a solo exhibition by Chea Sereyroth. “The role of rice is fundamental to Cambodian culture. From time immemorial, seasonal demands of its cultivation have dominated peoples’ lives, yet nurtured souls. With the perspective of a child brought up in the country tilling rice, before having to leave for studying and working in the city, the artist offers eight artworks.” Until November 27.
At Mirage Contemporary Art Space in Siem Reap, Her Sounds, a multimedia research project and exhibition by photographer Neak Sophal and ethnomusicologist Emily Howe, “celebrating the passion, persistence, and power of Cambodia’s women artists through image, sound, and story.” Until November 25.
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At TRIBE Cambodia in Siem Reap, The Space Between, the debut solo exhibition of linocuts by Morn Chear, presented by Open Studio Cambodia. “Drawn free-hand and then meticulously chiseled, Morn’s images playfully depict everyday scenes from his personal life: his wife washes the laundry by hand, a dog takes a nap in the alley, fish grill on a small barbecue, he rides his motorbike into the distance.”
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At Batia Sarem in Siem Reap, How do I look?, an exhibition of portraits by photographer Sovan Philong “Sovan Philong will show an intense series based on portraits in our gallery in Siem Reap. As in all his works, Philong uses light to renew the portrait genre and therefore the way one can really look at people and reveal their true self.”
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At Java Independence, the exhibition The dead eye and the deep blue sea, featuring artwork from a graphic memoir by Vannak Anan Prum. “The drawings are selected from the book, a graphic novel that tells his incredible story of surviving slavery in the regional fishing and agricultural industries. Vannak is a self-taught artist and his illustrative skills allowed him to gain favor with other people he was forced to live and work with by giving them tattoos. More importantly, thanks to his photographic memory he was able to draw his experiences in detail when he arrived home four years later. At first, he made the drawings to offer proof to his family in the only way he could. Later he decided to share his story publicly, leading to the publication of the graphic novel, further exposing the harsh realities of modern-day slavery.”
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KBach ArtSpace at Factory Phnom Penh, as part of their KBach Arts Competition 2019, are showing finalists in last year’s competition and a judges’ gallery as well as their regular collection.
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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.”
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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.
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Dance:
New Cambodian Artists in Siem Reap present weekly performances of contemporary dance every Saturday.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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).
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Every Monday Dance Flow, an improvisation and partnering workshop led by Eric Ellul at Nataraj Yoga, #52 St. 302. Donation-based sessions, 6.30 – 8.15 pm.
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.
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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).
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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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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.”
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A weekly gathering on Thursday night at Number 26 Art Shop Gallery on St 118, just off the riverside, 7 pm – 10 pm, with monthly changes of exhibitions, a place to exchange ideas.
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