Monthly Archives: October 2022

Kumnooh: Cambodia arts for week commencing 25 October, 2022

by

Greetings:

Kicking off on Thursday 27 is Photo Phnom Penh Festival 2022 at the French Institute.  Plenty of activities at a range of venues around the city, with some exhibitions lasting until the end of November. 
More info

On Friday 28 from 5 pm, Chhan Dina Gallery presents a new exhibition by Chhan Dina. 

On 30 October Java Creative Café Tuol Tom Pong presents By A Thread, a collaboration between Jean-Baptiste Phou and Sao Sreymao, an exhibition of film, photography, installation and performance that “emphatically explores communication and grief”.  Exhibition opening and film screening at 4 pm, then daily film screenings at 6 pm until 27 November.  An additional artist talk will be held on 19 November before a closing performance on 27 November.  A participatory digital installation will also allow people to share their own stories.  
More info

This weekend Saturday 29 and Sunday 30, at Rong Cheang, Vietnamese filmmaker and artist Nguyen Trinh Thi presents Memories, Found Materials and the Experimental Practice.  “Nguyen Trinh Thi will introduce her film and media art practice, covering topics of experimentation in non-fiction filmmaking and mix-media art projects including the use of found footage, performance, and diary and essay formats. The workshop includes critique sessions where the participants can bring and discuss their works and ideas relating to keywords including film, video, moving image, documentary, sound, space, performance, landscape, history, memory, found footage, archive, indigenous, environment.”  10 am – 5 pm.  In English with Khmer interpretation.   Space limited to 15 people. Register here: shorturl.at/FHJOT
More info

On Sunday 30, the very last poetry open mic will be held at Yini Teahouse, drinks from 6 pm, poetry from 7 pm. 
More info

Tuesday 1 at Meta House, an artist talk by photographer Marylise Vigneau, based in Austria and Pakistan.  “Raised in a Parisian family with many skeletons in its cupboards, she developed an early taste for investigation and justice.   Despite her fascination with literature, her mode of expression has become photography over time, without her knowing precisely why – maybe the mix of precision, immediacy, truth, and lies which is behind every image.”
More info

Change of venue and dates: ID-Entities, a mixed media art exhibition with artist talks,  featuring Vutha Tor, Erick Gonzalez, Robit Pen,Vannak Khun, Tyta Buth and Carlo Santoro
presented by Metaestica Lab will now be held at Meta House, opening 19 November at 5.30 pm and on display until 14 December.
More info

The Sa Sa Art Projects contemporary art exhibition and online auction at FT Gallery/Factory Phnom Penh to raise money for their 2023 programme has received a number of write ups in the local media: Cambodianess, Phnom Penh Post, Sabay News (Khmer only) Thmey Thmey (Khmer only)

In case you missed it: Kumnooh’s special feature last week was an interview with Nicholas Coffill about his new book Photography in Cambodia: 1866 To The Present. 

Cambodianess has published a Michelle Vachon article about Sampot Sor (White Skirt), the current exhibition by Sao Sreymao at Silapak Trotchaek Pneik // by YK Art House.

Phnom Penh Players are now taking nominations for Chair, Treasurer, Resources, Marketing and Secretary for the 2023 committee.  Fill in the nomination form here. 

Ikigai Arts Center will close on 30 November, after the closure of the shop on 15 November.   The ongoing Cycle of Screenings will continue as planned.
Angkor Photo Festival to be held in January 2023 is now open for applications. More info
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.

Send a ‘subscribe’ email to fabianhipp@kumnooh.com to receive Kumnooh in your inbox every Tuesday lunchtime.

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:  

Apsara Angkor Art Gallery (Siem Reap)
An exhibition of the work of Phnom Penh artist Nyart.

Chhan Dina Gallery
An on-going display of Chhan Dina’s work from throughout her career is augmented, on a rolling schedule, with works of contemporary masters and up-and-coming painters.  New opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am – 3.30 pm.  
More info

FT Gallery/Factory Phnom Penh
Sa Sa Art Projects’ contemporary art exhibition and online auction to raise money for their 2023 programme.  Media: Cambodianess, Phnom Penh Post, Sabay News (Khmer only) Thmey Thmey (Khmer only)

The Gallerist
A continuously rolling collection of works by mostly Cambodian artists.
More info

Meta House
An exhibition to accompany Photography in Cambodia, 1866 To The Present, a photographic collection compiled by Nicholas Coffill.   Runs until 13 November.   Media: Kumnooh
More info

Pi-Pet-Pi Gallery
New location: #52C, St 240.  Current exhibition is the works of Nicolas C Grey.

Romchiek 5 Art Space
Battambang contemporary art studio.  Rolling exhibitions.  

Silapak Trotchaek Pneik // by YK Art House
Sampot Sor (White Skirt), a new exhibition by Sao Sreymao.   Media:  Cambodianess
More info

Space Four Zero
Prints, paintings, vintage posters, pop art, CDs and vinyl.  Open daily. 
More info

Sra’Art
Photographic exhibition Contemplation by Aurelie Fischer.  Until 25 October.
More info

Regular events, classes, sessions:

Improv Cambodia now offer weekly improv classes, Wednesdays from 7 pm at Ikigai Arts Center.
More info

Ikigai Arts Center is offering life drawing sessions on Sundays 
More info

Regular on Saturdays at Sra’Art offer classes in art history and techniques: 9 am for children and 11 am for adults.  
More info

Also regular on Saturdays mornings at Botanico, presented by Sra’Art, hour-long kids’ art sessions, 10 am and 11 am. 
More info

N o w h e r e Art Studio
A range of arts and crafts workshops at different times.  Saturday 29 October is Block printing on fabric, 9 am.   

Kumnooh: Cambodia arts for week commencing 18 October, 2022

by

Greetings:

Kumnooh has a special feature this week, an interview with Nicholas Coffill about his new book Photography in Cambodia: 1866 To The Present. 

Thursday 20, at FT Gallery/Factory Phnom Penh is a Sa Sa Art Projects contemporary art exhibition and auction to raise money for the their 2023 programme.  Media:  Sabay News (Khmer only).  From 6 pm. 

Also on Thursday 20 at The Gallerist, the opening of Bloom, an exhibition by Singaporean artist Isabelle Ri, who “runs an oil paint based drawing and installation practice, her works respond to aesthetic traditions and techniques. Throughout her life, she has always been fascinated by images and how the world is represented through the eyes of others.”  From 6 pm – be quick, the show only runs until Saturday evening. 
More info

Friday 21 through to Sunday 23 this weekend the 5th Khmer Literature Festival is being held in Pursat.
More info

This weekend Rong Cheang is hosting art handling workshops by Indonesian arts collective Serrum.   Saturday 22, 1-5pm and Sunday 23 from 10 am to 5 pm. In English with Khmer translation.  Limited to 15 people – register here: shorturl.at/bguQ6
More info

Opening on Saturday 22 is ID-Entities, a mixed media art exhibition with artist talks,  featuring Vutha Tor, Erick Gonzalez, Robit Pen,Vannak Khun, Tyta Buth and Carlo Santoro presented by Metaestica Lab at Royal Train Square.  

Also on Saturday 23, Meta House presents a South East Asian Short Film Festival.  From 8.45 pm.
More info

NyArt Studio is holding an open house on Sunday 23 featuring work by Ny Vannak and photography by Steve Porte.  12 noon – 4 pm.
More info

On 30 October Java Creative Café Tuol Tom Pong presents By A Thread, a collaboration between Jean-Baptiste Phou and Sao Sreymao, an exhibition of film, photography, installation and performance that “emphatically explores communication and grief”.  Exhibition opening and film screening at 4 pm, then daily film screenings at 6 pm until 27 November.  An additional artist talk will be held on 19 November before a closing performance on 27 November.  A participatory digital installation will also allow people to share their own stories.
More info

Cambodianess has published a Michelle Vachon article about Sampot Sor (White Skirt), the current exhibition by Sao Sreymao at Silapak Trotchaek Pneik // by YK Art House.

Ikigai Arts Center will close on 30 November, after the closure of the shop on 15 November.   The ongoing Cycle of Screenings will continue as planned.
Angkor Photo Festival to be held in January 2023 is now open for applications. More info

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.

Send a ‘subscribe’ email to fabianhipp@kumnooh.com to receive Kumnooh in your inbox every Tuesday lunchtime.

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:  

Apsara Angkor Art Gallery (Siem Reap)
An exhibition of the work of Phnom Penh artist Nyart.

Chhan Dina Gallery
An on-going display of Chhan Dina’s work from throughout her career is augmented, on a rolling schedule, with works of contemporary masters and up-and-coming painters.  New opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am – 3.30 pm.  
More info

The Gallerist
A continuously rolling collection of works by mostly Cambodian artists.
Opening this week is Bloom, an exhibition by Singaporean artist Isabelle Ri, who “runs an oil paint based drawing and installation practice, her works respond to aesthetic traditions and techniques. Throughout her life, she has always been fascinated by images and how the world is represented through the eyes of others.”
More info

Meta House
An exhibition to accompany Photography in Cambodia, 1866 To The Present, a photographic collection compiled by Nicholas Coffill.   Runs until 13 November.   Media: Kumnooh
More info

Plantation
Abstract Escape, by Stan.  “There are vibrant colors, joyful colors and spleen colors, stripes that hide and scratches that reveal shapes, then more colors appear.”  Until 21 October. 
More info

Romchiek 5 Art Space
Battambang contemporary art studio.  Rolling exhibitions.  

Silapak Trotchaek Pneik // by YK Art House
Sampot Sor (White Skirt), a new exhibition by Sao Sreymao.   Media:  Cambodianess
More info

Space Four Zero
Prints, paintings, vintage posters, pop art, CDs and vinyl.  Open daily. 
More info

Sra’Art
Photographic exhibition Contemplation by Aurelie Fischer.  Until 25 October.
More info

Regular events, classes, sessions:

Improv Cambodia now offer weekly improv classes, Wednesdays from 7 pm at Ikigai Arts Center.
More info

Ikigai Arts Center is offering life drawing sessions on Sundays 
More info

Regular on Saturdays at Sra’Art offer classes in art history and techniques: 9 am for children and 11 am for adults.  
More info

Also regular on Saturdays mornings at Botanico, presented by Sra’Art, hour-long kids’ art sessions, 10 am and 11 am. 
More info

N o w h e r e Art Studio
A range of arts and crafts workshops at different times.  Saturday 8 October is Self-portrait Acrylic Painting, 9 am.  

Does it look good? Photography in Cambodia: 1866 To The Present

by

Currently running at Meta House in Phnom Penh is an exhibition, Photography in Cambodia: 1866 To The Present, which accompanies a newly published book of the same name.  The sumptuous and handsome volume is the brainchild of Nicholas Coffill, and has a rather unusual genesis – it came out of a stage performance entitled SNAP1 – 150 Years of Photography in Cambodia, that started in 2016 at Bambu Stage in Siem Reap. 

“I decided to turn the show into something a bit more permanent,” says Nicholas.  “I put three solid years into it, and then off to the printers and the post-production.  I really enjoyed it.  I’ve been involved for a long time in the museum world – there are often great catalogues of collections, and I’ve seen some beautiful books about photography in Australia and India, but Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries just don’t have anthologies of their photographic history. I thought I could do that – I know where most of the collections are, if I don’t I can just ask more friends.” 

And the response?  “It’s selling like hot cakes. I imported 500 five weeks ago and have none left. I had to bring in the last 400 from the publishers in Singapore, they just arrived a week ago and they’re all being shipped off to local bookstores and hotels of repute.  So it’s going really well.” 

The format is one that seeks to link the photographs to their time and their significance.  “I wanted a book that a reader – Cambodian or expat or traveler – could look at, dip in, look around, put down and do something else, come back, open up, read another little story. The text provides context for the object rather than being about the object itself.  This is basically the history of Cambodia from 1866 to today with only 100 words a page.” 

A fascinating theme of the collection is the changing look of the Angkorian temples from the middle of the nineteenth century on – we’ve all seen endless photos of Angkor Wat and the Bayon, but here they are seen from different views, at different times and stages of reconstruction, and frequently capturing observations by contemporary visitors. The photograph used on the front cover is illustrative.  “You can date many photos by what people are wearing.  We spoke to a few costume specialists and they said oh, perhaps 56, 57, perhaps 61 – late 50s cool.”

The photograph as found object also has its place.  “There’s two found objects in the exhibition, both discovered within a few weeks of each other.  There’s one portrait with a rice paste smeared on it, found in the streets in Phnom Penh by Taber Hand about three months ago, and we couldn’t work it out.  I’ve since spoken to a few older Cambodians and read a few books about funerary practice, and we believe this photograph was probably taken in the 60s or early 70s of a young boy and he probably died this year.  During the long period of mourning any mirrors or glassy surfaces would have been covered with powder or fabric, so the soul is not confused, and goes back to heaven rather than going through this strange vortex. So this was an attempt to cover that up.  Why it was then discarded we don’t know. This photograph now has a second life as a piece of memorabilia.” 

Another angle of the nature of photography rises to the surface – the changing meaning and purpose of an image.  “A photograph of a young Cambodian taken at S21, it’s an ID photograph, a document of the processing of people.  When the Vietnamese came the photographs were collected, cleaned, copied, and put on display and became objects more about education.  Then they were used as evidence in trials at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.  Then they were reproduced again and put on large boards and taken around to villages outside Phnom Penh by DC-Cam and used to educate villagers about what was happening with the Tribunal, and to encourage discussion and healing, so they become a tool of sociology: here is the grandmother, here is the son, what are your experiences? Do you have any photographs in your own family that you want to bring out and talk about?  And now it has become a psychological tool of memory.

“Here’s an image of Son Sen, one of the Khmer Rouge leaders, that was displayed in the S21 genocide museum in the early 80s, and over the next decade Cambodians mutilated it, writing vulgar comments across it.  The photograph in the book of the vandalised image was taken by the Catalan photographer Dani Planas Labad in 2007 – so how do you document that? This is a cut-out of a much larger photograph, many people have torn and written on it, thrown their emotions into it.  Is it still a photograph taken in 1976?  Is it a photograph reproduced in 1984?  Is it a damaged photograph that’s has been photographed 15 years ago?  How do I date it?  I like that kind of challenge.” 

The Defacing of Son Sen’s Photograph. Toul Sleng (S-21) Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh. 2007. Dani Planas Labad.

In conversation many favourite choices spring up as examples.  “There’s a photo from the early days of colour printing, inside a French restaurant, Café de Paris, on Post Office Square in 1966.  You can see the early 60s light fittings, a Miro-esque painting on the raw concrete floor, and exposed bricks.  Most photography books are full of the best of photographs, by the most well-known photographers, good quality prints, and some would say why are you putting crap photographs like this in?  But I have no qualms about including social history. No doubt this was taken by a Cambodian rather than French photographer, working for Kambuja Illustrated Monthly, one of the popular magazines at the time.” 


Patrons dining at the Café du Paris, Phnom Penh. 1966. Photographer unknown. Kambuja Monthly Illustrated Review, October 15, 1966. Center for Khmer Studies Library, Siem Reap.

So what were the selection criteria for images to be included?  “A photo that really catches the eye, or that captures a really important historical or cultural moment, or knowing the reputation of photographers that had a good eye.  Just using those rough three choices really helped to fill out the bulk, and then it was just a case of idiosyncratic things to put in the big pile, and laying out pages, seeing how they work, seeing rhythms or counter-rhythms. 

“When it came to twenty-first century and contemporary photographers working now in Cambodia I passed the curation over to Jessica Lim of the Angkor Photo Festival and Workshops, and just peppered in some social history stuff, like dental x-rays, found objects, thus breaking down the structure of the photographer as artist and showing a richer stream of imagery.”

Photography in Cambodia: 1866 To The Present, all 1.3 kilograms of it, is now available in Phnom Penh at the Minimalist Café & Bookshop, Gallery Pi-Pet-Pi and the National Museum for $39.99.

Kumnooh: Cambodia arts for week commencing 11 October, 2022

by

Greetings:

Tonight, Tuesday 11, at Meta House is an exhibition opening and book launch, Photography in Cambodia, 1866 To The Present, by Nicholas Coffill.   Runs until 13 November.  See also Java Creative Café Tuol Tom Pong event below.
More info

Friday 14, Java Creative Café Tuol Tom Pong presents an author’s talk and book signing for Photography in Cambodia, 1866 To The Present, by Nicholas Coffill.
More info

On Tuesday 18, Meta House hosts a repeat screening of documentaries about the late photographer Tim Page.
More info

Later this month The Gallerist presents an exhibition by Singaporean artist Isabelle Ri – October 20 – and planned for November is an exhbition by Ing Phouséra dit Sera, a plastic artist of Franco-Cambodian origin, comic book author, illustrator, sculptor, painter.

Opening on October 22 is ID-Entities, a mixed media art exhibition with artist talks,  featuring Vutha Tor, Erick Gonzalez, Robit Pen,Vannak Khun, Tyta Buth and Carlo Santoro presented by Metaestica Lab at Royal Train Square.   

Ikigai Arts Center will close on 30 November, after the closure of the shop on 15 November.   The ongoing Cycle of Screenings will continue as planned.

Angkor Photo Festival to be held in January 2023 is now open for applications. More info
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.

Send a ‘subscribe’ email to fabianhipp@kumnooh.com to receive Kumnooh in your inbox every Tuesday lunchtime.

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:  

Apsara Angkor Art Gallery (Siem Reap)
An exhibition of the work of Phnom Penh artist Nyart.

Chhan Dina Gallery
An on-going display of Chhan Dina’s work from throughout her career is augmented, on a rolling schedule, with works of contemporary masters and up-and-coming painters.  New opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am – 3.30 pm.  
More info

The Gallerist
A continuously rolling collection of works by mostly Cambodian artists, now including an exhibition by Algerian artist Andre Nadal.  “His artistic expression is essentially centered on the black and white contrast and intertwining. André’s pictorial universe consists of cubes, calligraphy, compactions of feathers, floating objects. The zen and dynamic aesthetics of André Nadal pulls us in a pondering that both calms and stimulates the spirit.”  More info

Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh / Tribe Art Cambodia
The work of Nak Noy.  Media:  Khmer Times

Meta House
Mekong Trashures, a collection of artworks made from rubbish collected from the rivers surrounding Phnom Penh.  
More info

Pi-Pet-Pi Gallery
New location: #52C, St 240

Romchiek 5 Art Space
Battambang contemporary art studio.  Rolling exhibitions.  

Space Four Zero
Prints, paintings, vintage posters, pop art, CDs and vinyl.  Open daily. 
More info

Sra’Art
Photographic exhibition Contemplation by Aurelie Fischer.  Until 25 October.
More info

Regular events, classes, sessions:

Improv Cambodia now offer weekly improv classes, Wednesdays from 7 pm at Ikigai Arts Center.
More info

Ikigai Arts Center is offering life drawing sessions on Sundays 
More info

Regular on Saturdays at Sra’Art offer classes in art history and techniques: 9 am for children and 11 am for adults.  
More info

Also regular on Saturdays mornings at Botanico, presented by Sra’Art, hour-long kids’ art sessions, 10 am and 11 am. 
More info

N o w h e r e Art Studio
A range of arts and crafts workshops at different times. 

Kumnooh: Cambodia arts for week commencing 4 October, 2022

by

Greetings:
 
Apologies for the absence of Kumnooh for a few weeks due to technical issues (i.e. laptop meltdown). 

On Wednesday 5 at The Gallerist is the opening of an exhibition by Algerian artist Andre Nadal.  “His artistic expression is essentially centered on the black and white contrast and intertwining. André’s pictorial universe consists of cubes, calligraphy, compactions of feathers, floating objects. The zen and dynamic aesthetics of André Nadal pulls us in a pondering that both calms and stimulates the spirit.” 
From 6 pm.
More info
 
Live painting on Friday 7 at Sra’Art by The Sokheng from 6 pm. 
More info
 
Sunday 9, Musica Felice choir will hold a charity concert at the Sofitel grand ballroom, featuring works by Bach, Mozart, Puccini, Rutter, Jenkins, Gershwin and Franklin.  All proceeds will go to Princess Buppha Devi Dance School and Yamada School of Art.
More info 

Tuesday 11 at Meta House is an exhibition opening and book launch, Photography in Cambodia, 1866 To The Present.   Runs until 13 November.
More info
 
Later this month The Gallerist presents an exhibition by Singaporean artist Isabelle Ri – October 20 – and planned for November is an exhbition by Ing Phouséra dit Sera, a plastic artist of Franco-Cambodian origin, comic book author, illustrator, sculptor, painter.
 
Ikigai Arts Center will close on 30 November, after the closure of the shop on 15 November.   The ongoing Cycle of Screenings will continue as planned.

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.

Send a ‘subscribe’ email to fabianhipp@kumnooh.com to receive Kumnooh in your inbox every Tuesday lunchtime.

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:  

Apsara Angkor Art Gallery (Siem Reap)
An exhibition of the work of Phnom Penh artist Nyart.
 
Chhan Dina Gallery
An on-going display of Chhan Dina’s work from throughout her career is augmented, on a rolling schedule, with works of contemporary masters and up-and-coming painters.    
More info

The Gallerist
A continuously rolling collection of works by mostly Cambodian artists. Now including work by DinArt.
More info 

Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh / Tribe Art Cambodia
The work of Nak Noy.  Media:  Khmer Times
 
Meta House
Mekong Trashures, a collection of artworks made from rubbish collected from the rivers surrounding Phnom Penh.  
More info 
 
Romchiek 5 Art Space 
Battambang contemporary art studio.  Rolling exhibitions.  
 
Space Four Zero
Prints, paintings, vintage posters, pop art, CDs and vinyl.  Open daily. 
More info 
 
Sra’Art
Photographic exhibition Contemplation by Aurelie Fischer.  Until 25 October.
More info      
 
Regular events, classes, sessions:
 
Improv Cambodia now offer weekly improv classes, Wednesdays from 7 pm at Ikigai Arts Center.
More info
 
Ikigai Arts Center is offering life drawing sessions on Sundays 
More info     
 
Regular on Saturdays at Sra’Art offer classes in art history and techniques: 9 am for children and 11 am for adults.  
More info 
 
Also regular on Saturdays mornings at Botanico, presented by Sra’Art, hour-long kids’ art sessions, 10 am and 11 am. 
More info  
 
N o w h e r e Art Studio
A range of arts and crafts workshops at different times.  Saturday 8 October is Self-portrait Acrylic Painting, 9 am.