Greetings:
The 15th annual Angkor Photo Festival begins today, Tuesday 3, in Siem Reap. “The 2019 programme is filled with a quality line-up of guest artists, photographers and curators. For the five days of the public festival (3 – 7 December), the festival will host indoor and outdoor exhibitions, nightly slideshow projections, portfolio reviews, artist talks, panel discussions and workshops. This year, our programme features prominently the work and curatorial voices of our professional workshop alumni, such as Linh Pham and Ha Dao from the dynamic Vietnamese photography collective, Matca, who are curating two shows for this year’s edition – a slideshow projection on Vietnamese photography and an intimate print exhibition about Nguyen Van Chanh, a prominent photo studio founder and businessman. Along the riverside, alumni Senthil Kumaran (India) and Uma Bista (Nepal) present Tamed Tuskers and Our Songs from the Forest, respectively.”
2019 APFW Programme Booklet
Wednesday 4, 7 pm at the French Institute, the next in the Dance a l’IFC series, Storytelling, by Chumvan Sodhachivy (Belle). “In this new piece, the ingenious choreographer and iconic dancer Belle wishes to share with us the most beautiful stories and Khmer texts that have marked her chilhood and formative years.”
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Wednesday 4, 7 pm at Meta House, a performance of the theatre play I am a daughter by Cambodian author / poet / TV host Kim Dyna. “It follows a girl’s struggles to continue her education after graduating from primary school. The story line shows the protagonist’s path to higher education and finding a partner who is supportive of her goals and willing to wait for marriage. Over the course of its dozen vignettes, topics of women’s rights, family disapproval and domestic violence are discussed.“
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Thursday 5, 6 pm at Sra’Art (Sothearos Blvd), the opening of a new exhibition, Apsaras and legends of Cambodia, a tribute to HRH Norodom Buppha Devi, with photographs by Arjay Stevens and paintings by Khun Kolkateka inspired not only by the Princess but by all legends of Cambodia. “The photos will present a parallel between apsara dancers and the old sculptures of the Chenla era.”
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Thursday 5, 6.30 pm at the French Institute, the opening of a shared exhibition, Light and Life, featuring works by Philong Sovan and Clement Driend, both trained at the National School Louis Lumiere in Paris. “They share a similar approach in the way they work by staging reality: spectacular projections for French artist Clement Briend, dramatisation of night scenes for Cambodian artist Philong Sovan.”
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Thursday 5, 7 pm Blind painting with Marika Els and Justin Wolfgang at Cloud. “Can a painter and non-painter share a canvas blindfolded? Come join Marika and Justin as they find out. Audience participation is essential as it will be your job to hand us paint, tools, and give us guidance as we experiment with the process of making art collaboratively.”
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Friday 6, 6 pm at Sa Sa Art Projects, Possibility Transferring Passing, a graduation
exhibition for the second year of the Contemporary and Documentary Photography class of 2019.
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It’s panto time again, and this year the Phnom Penh Players present Cinderella at the Department of Performing Arts, with shows on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 at 7 pm, and a Sunday matinee at 11 am. Tickets from The Box Office – Phnom Penh, Kwest Restaurant, Lot 369 Cafe & Bar – TTP and Lot 369 Cafe & Bar – TTP.
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Sunday 8, KBach Arts presents KBach Bash, an all day party with street art murals, exhibitions, performances and the announcement of the winner of 2019 KBach Arts Competition by judges Chhim Sothy, Chhan Dina & Em Riem, MC’d by Kosal Kiev.
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Sunday 8, 4 pm at TorTim Gallery (Tuol Tom Pong, behind the Chinese Embassy), a conversation between artists Kol Kirivath, Mech Choulay, Sao Sreymao, Eng Rithchandaneth and Say Tola. “This event is part of the public program of current exhibition Message in Mind, by Kol Kirivath, Chhun Kimly, Leng Kimsreang, Neang Chansorya, Prak Dalin, Mech Choulay, Mech Sereyrath, Lok Chanmakara, Sao Sreymao, and Eng Rithchandaneth currently on show through 31 Dec 2019.” Khmer language event.
Every Monday, from 7.30 pm, Drink and Draw at Cloud – $4 for two hours with a life model in multiple poses.
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Every Monday, 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm, Drink and Draw at La Kh’Mère Poulart, Siem Reap.
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Coming soon:
- Our Story, a youth art showcase, at Bambu Stage in Siem Reap, December 15. “Join us for an incredible evening filled with the works & performances of talented poets, painters, musicians, & artisans from PEPY, Genevieve’s Fair Trade Village, & Music For Everyone School to support PEPY’s Youth Empowerment Project- a PEPY initiative focused on providing rural Cambodian youth a place to develop soft skills, creativity, & confidence.” Tickets are available at the door or in advance at New Leaf Eatery and Treeline Urban Resort.
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 (now over ten years) 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…
The 15th annual Angkor Photo Festival begins today, Tuesday 3, in Siem Reap, through until Saturday 7.
2019 APFW Programme Booklet
Wednesday 4, 7 pm at the French Institute, the next in the Dance a l’IFC series, Storytelling, by Chumvan Sodhachivy (Belle).
More info
Wednesday 4, 7 pm at Meta House, a performance of the theatre play I am a daughter by Cambodian author / poet / TV host Kim Dyna.
More info
Thursday 5, 6 pm at Sra’Art (Sothearos Blvd), the opening of a new exhibition, Apsaras and legends of Cambodia, a tribute to HRH Norodom Buppha Devi, with photographs by Arjay Stevens and paintings by Khun Kolkateka.
More info
Thursday 5, 6.30 pm at the French Institute, the opening of a shared exhibition, Light and Life, featuring works by Philong Sovan and Clement Driend, both trained at the National School Louis Lumiere in Paris.
More info
Thursday 5, 7 pm Blind painting with Marika Els and Justin Wolfgang at Cloud.
More info
Friday 6, 6 pm at Sa Sa Art Projects, Possibility Transferring Passing, a graduation
exhibition for the second year of the Contemporary and Documentary Photography class of 2019.
More info
Friday 6 and Saturday 7 at 7 pm, and a Sunday matinee at 11 am, the Phnom Penh Players present Cinderella at the Department of Performing Arts.
More info
Sunday 8, KBach Arts presents KBach Bash, an all day party with street art murals, exhibitions, performances and the announcement of the winner of 2019 KBach Arts Competition.
More info
Sunday 8, 4 pm at TorTim Gallery (Tuol Tom Pong, behind the Chinese Embassy), a conversation between artists Kol Kirivath, Mech Choulay, Sao Sreymao, Eng Rithchandaneth and Say Tola. Khmer language event.
Every Monday, from 7.30 pm, Drink and Draw at Cloud – $4 for two hours with a life model in multiple poses.
More info
Every Monday, 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm, Drink and Draw at La Kh’Mère Poulart, Siem Reap.
More info
Ongoing…. exhibitions, dance performances and others
Exhibitions:
TorTim Art Gallery & Café presents a group exhibition Message in Mind showcasing feminist photography. “Message in Mind presents new works by ten young female artists who are interested in photography by creating their own scenes of experiences, exploring the issues that they encountered and experienced in their families, including observation of what happened to women in general and women of impact in Cambodian society today. Until 31 December.
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At Meta House, Enemies of Reason, a photographic exhibition by leading jazz album cover photographer Thomas Wunsch, featuring abstract works shot in Phnom Penh.
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At Bophana Center, Endless Patience, a photographic exhibition showcases the new work of Cambodian artists Tha Linda, Khuon Viset and To Malinda. “These young artists collaborated to create a photo exhibition which encourages the audiences to think more of the reasons why a woman decides to tolerate with her abusive spouse or partner. At the launch, there will also be a screening and a panel discussion about Challenges and change for women and families.
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Mirage Contemporary Art Space in Siem Reap, celebrating their third anniversary, host the Our Village by documentary photographer Roun Ry. “The Artist will deliver a talk on January 18, 2020 and in February MIRAGE Contemporary Art Space will present a free photography workshop with photographer Serey Siv, co-founder and director.”
At Bong Bong Bong on St 240 ½ on Saturday 16, from 7 pm, New Tradition, the first Cambodian exhibition of Bangkok-based illustrator Nut Praditsilp, aka Nutdub.
At Bong the Gallery, 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.”
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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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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