Greetings:
At Bophana Center, Life Afloat, an exhibition organized by Women Peace Makers (WPM). “A community living afloat on the Tonle Sap for generations explores sense of place through art and dialogue. Stories are told and painted by an artist who interprets them on a fishing boat used as a canvas. Floating village residents learn photography and take shots of the people and places they see as ‘home’. Explore this visual treat that takes you inside a floating village where you can float yourself and contemplate life and community on top of the Tonle Sap.” An opening reception will be held on March 14. Runs until March 31.
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On Thursday 5, 6.30 pm at Cloud, the Writing Through organisation’s Phnom Penh launch of An Anthology of Poems by the Magic Pencils, people of different ages and backgrounds from Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia.
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Friday 6 at the Futures Factory, Java Creative Cafe celebrates the five young artists selected in CREATIVE GENERATION 3: Mech Choulay, Kong Siden, Ry Savroun, Song Seakleng and Vong Chandarey. From 6.30 pm.
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Each Satuday at 7 pm during the 40 day Lenten period, at Church of Christ our Peace (Level One, #57, St 294 by the corner of St 51), a series of gatherings entitled Lent, Art and Stations of the Cross convened by Soteria Thompson and Father Gregory Whitaker. “Each of the six weeks, we will view different artist’s rendition of Christ’s journey from the garden to the tomb, including some never before viewed station sets, read the scripture about it, spend some time praying and then creatively process the experience together.”
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Phnom Fem Fest, female empowerment festival at KBach Arts to be held on International Women’s Day, Sunday 8, with three exhibitions: Eyes of Mercy by unseen Khmer artist, Koem Keosocheat, the latest member of the KBach Collective; Endless Patience, a photo exhibit by Dignity Cambodia for Gender Equality and Srey Klang, work by local and foreign artists to raise funds for art projects with NGO CEDAW. From 2pm.
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 Wednesday, 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm, Drink and Draw at La Kh’Mère Poulart, Siem Reap.
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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
Ongoing…. exhibitions, dance performances and others
Exhibitions:
At the French Institute, the opening of an exhibition by Sous Sodavy, Dance & Gesture, along with a dance performance by Silverbell with Yannick Hugron and Philippe Lebhar. “Born in 1955, Sous Sodavy is a Cambodian painter trained at The Hungarian University of Fine Arts of Budapest, and is now a teacher at the University of Fine Arts of Cambodia. For this exhibition, he will present unique pieces on the subject of dance, treated with infinite finesse, that he chose to apprehend through both form and substance. Lyrical and sensitive reverie, his paintings reveal how intertwined body and dance gesture really are.”
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At Sa Sa Art Projects, Interface, a group exhibition by XEM: Quang Lam, Hoang Duong Cam, Phan Quang, Nguyen Tranh Truc and Uudam Tran Nyugen. “XEM is an example of the relevance and the need for artist’s publications, especially in the context of Southeast Asia where exposing avenues and audiences for contemporary art are still small. Believing in chance and ritual, XEM takes on a slow, traditional approach of encounter. Readers come to learn about artworks and artists through the magazine distributed at libraries and cafés. People circulate and pass on the publication from person to person.” Until 10 April.
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At Plantation, The New Apsaras exhibition put together by Elliss Jaie and Miguel Jeronimo. “A creative fashion show and collective exhibition highlighting the ongoing turmoil effects of the fast fashion industry. A homage to local tailors and garment workers, the new Apsaras of Cambodia, the ones who hold the country together one stitch at a time.”
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At One Eleven Gallery in Siem Reap, Making Progress, an exhibition by UK artist Jo Peel. “As the red dust is slowly swept away and the tarmac rolls over to assimilate Siem Reap into a modern attraction, this is a town in transition. Through these paintings Jo explores the quiet moments that are at odds with the pace of the modern world. Drink carts waiting in the shade, waiting rooms with rows of plastic chairs and fuel poured from old whisky bottles. And just a little red dust.”
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Kbach presents their 2020 Collection Exhibition. “As we approach our 3rd year anniversary we are delighted to announce our collective of Cambodian artists for 2020. We have been privileged to work with a number of local and international artists over the years as we grew from a niche gallery into one of Cambodia’s leading contemporary arts galleries, currently representing over 300 pieces of original artworks and sculptures from Cambodian born artists. The Kbach 2020 Collection is a reflection of where we are now in our mission to identify, support and promote the Cambodian art scene.” Until March 6.
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At House of Scott, Journeys, an exhibition of photographs by Steve Porte. “From sweeping landscape scenes to spectacular architectural buildings, Steve’s photography is more than visually captivating art.”
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At Bong Bong Bong on Street 240½, exhibition by Canadian Isaac Holland.
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Mirage Contemporary Art Space in Siem Reap, celebrating their third anniversary, host the Our Village by documentary photographer Roun Ry.
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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 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.
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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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