Kumnooh was originally established in ten years ago this month as a sister publication to LengPleng.com, the online music magazine for Cambodia, to provide basically a gig guide for the wider arts, covering art galleries, literature, dance, cinema, photography – now expanded to include stand up comedy.

You may be interested in becoming a Friend of Kumnooh, where we ask venues, artists and individuals to show their support by making a small monetary contribution to keep the lights on. In return for a boost in promotion, including a non-Facebook web page on our site for direct contact with the dedicated arts audience.  Check out our first example – Chhan Dina Gallery.  Queries by return email – fabianhipp@kumnooh.com.

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

Cambodian Exodus—From the Border to Khao I Dang Refugee Camp: photo exhibitions in the USA, April 2023 By guest writer Colin Grafton. 

During COVID, my wife Keiko and I occupied ourselves with various projects we might never have got around to otherwise—one exhibition at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, two photo exhibitions at Bophana Center, and a book titled Dancers.

Read the whole article here.  

Reloading A-N-T-O-P-I-A with Carlo Santoro

This Saturday 27 at 7 pm at Seekers Spirit House the intrepid traveller will find a multi-faceted event entitled A-N-T-O-P-I-A/PAPERS, put together by Metaestetica Lab, a mixed media participatory installation and performance including the Kampot Playboys, DJs, painters, video, sculpture, Old Uncle Tom Cobly and all.  Kumnooh sat down with the proposer of the event, Carlo Santoro, as the rain poured down, to try to get a handle on all that’s going on. You are describing this as a reload, but a reload of what precisely? “The first version of A-N-T-O-P-I-A was put together for the European Film Festival in February 2023 – one single installation work.  It’s not an exhibition, it’s an installation one single product created by artists from many different disciplines – painting, sculpture, architecture, printing, video and performance.

Read the whole article here.  

Event listings:

Wednesday 26 at Bophana Center, special guest for Cine Club is Suong Pros Prathna.  Khmer language event.  5 pm. 

Wind Up Mice by Khmer playwright Samithi Sok continues and then closes this coming weekend 26 and 27 May – at Java Creative Café Tuol Tom Pong.  For more information, including ticketing, check the Facebook event here. Media: The Kumnooh Interview.

Friday 26, Sra’Art presents an open mic hosted by Initial G, from 7 pm. More info

Also Friday 26, Meta House presents Poetronica – poetry readings from Kosal Khiev, Yeng Chheangly, Chan Somnang, Choun Sopheap and Antonio Pineda, with live music by Eclectic Universe and a DJ. 

 Saturday 27 at Seekers Spirits is A-N-T-O-P-I-A/PAPERS – a mixed media participatory installation with performances, exhibitions and the Kampot Playboys.  “Videos and photographs on urban transformation presented by Pisey Kosal, Miguel Jeronimo and Carlo Santoro will stand alongside collages and paintings by three acclaimed artists from three different generations, Suos Sodavy, Chhim Sothy and Chhan Dina.  They will open perspectives on today’s life in the Cambodian cities.  Also join us for a tribute to Srey Bandaul, celebrated among the founding fathers of contemporary art in Battambang province.”    Media: The Kumnooh Interview

Opening on 30 May but with a special event on 1 June, a pop up exhibition by Sra’Art and Let Us Create Futures featuring Delphine Vaudiau, Joshua Chiang, Olga Shklyar, Roberto Crucitti, Ryssa and Lolli.  The Thursday night special event will include a silent auction and a performance by The Blue Souls.  From 7 pm. More info

From 30 May to 4 June, Meta House presents Pride Film Fest with screenings nightly at 6 pm.   

Mixed Media May returns to Shophouse Studio in 2023 – there is an open call for artists to participate in an exhibition to open 31 May.  Theme is Reconnecting to Nature – interaction between people and nature, the importance of nature, and architectural buildings and nature.  Deadline for submissions is 27 May. More info

The Musica Felice choir is holding auditions on 31 May and 3 June.       Media:  LengPleng

On the weekend 2 – 4 June at Boeung Trobek High School, International Board on Books for Young People celebrate International Children’s Book Day.  8 am – 8 pm daily.    More info

On 3 June at Speak Easy Theater – Comedy In Cambodia presents Ian Harvey Stone (UK).  Tickets now available. More info

On 3 & 4 June at Pi-Pet-Pi Gallery there will be on sale artworks from the collection of the late Eriq Henri Madsen. More info

8 – 10 June at Singapore Cambodia International Academy, Phnom Penh Players present Alice In Wonderland: The Musical. More info

On 9 June Meta House will host the Asia South East-Short Film Festival 2023.  “A seasonal film festival that gives international audiences from Asia, Europe, North America, and elsewhere who are living or traveling in the southeast of Asia, a chance to see a wide variety of great short films that are being produced from around the world. It is curated by the same team that produces the London Seasonal Short Film Festival and the London Worldwide Comedy Short Film Festival.”

At the end of July 2023, dance company Prumsodun Ok & NATYARASA will host two nights of performances featuring original choreography from Chakra, Chamreoun, Chay, Sopharoth, and Venghour. They have launched a crowdsourcing campaign to support the project.  Support their fundraising campaign here.    

Ongoing….

Exhibitions:   Chhan Dina Gallery An on-going display of the work of Chhan Dina work from throughout her career is augmented, on a rolling schedule, with works of contemporary masters and up-and-coming painters.  For appointment to view call 012 968 582. More info

The Gallerist A continuously rolling collection of works by mostly Cambodian artists.  Currently showing are works by Chhan Dina, Nak Noy, Stan, Chhim Sothy, DinArt and Thun Dina. More info

Ny Vannak Small studio gallery in Lanka Lane, off St 51 in BKK1 featuring the work of Ny Vannak. Visit the gallery by appointment –  WhatsApp/ Telegram 099 509 412 / 0978572328

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

Sofitel Tribe Cambodia presents the opening of Elements of the Lotus by Ponleu.   Until end of June. Media: Cambodge Mag (FR)   Sovrin Magazine (KH)  CGB Media (KH) More info

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

Regular events, classes, sessions:

Drink & Draw every Monday at Cloud, 6.30 pm. More info

Tuesdays, 4– 4.45 pm at Giving Tree International School, after school art lessons by Mirasol Aguila. 

Every Wednesday Comedy in Cambodia present Stand Up Social at Speak Easy Theater.  7.30 pm.

Wednesdays to Sundays at K’Atelier – art classes for all levels of experience. 

Kids Art Club, Saturdays at Botanico, presented by Sra’Art, 10 am and 11 am. More info

N o w h e r e Art Studio offers a range of arts and crafts workshops at different times.  Sunday 11 June is Block-printing on fabric, 1 pm. A weekly class in life drawing for kids with Anastasia at Pteah Chas Community. More info Khmer Architecture Tours conducts Sunday architecture tours in Phnom Penh to promote the understanding of modern architecture in Cambodia, focusing on buildings erected after independence in 1953, described as ‘New Khmer Architecture’, while setting these in the historical context of Phnom Penh.  Here is the schedule for May.