With Dignity: the short, brilliant life of Samithi Sok
The news of the passing of Cambodian playwright Samithi Sok swept across the Phnom Penh community as a surging wave of sadness and remembrance. Kumnooh sat down at Cappadacio in Tuol Tom Pong with Sami’s friend, collaborator and theatrical co-conspirator Marika Els to talk about where they’ve been and where things are going next. There was coffee, laughter, wine, tears and resolve in the air; here are some of the words that were shared.
Event listings:
It’s a big week for stand-up comedy in Cambodia with visiting comic Devin Gray on Thursday 2, 7.30 pm at The Green Room in Kampot, and then at Speak Easy Theater/The Box Office in Phnom Penh on Saturday 4, also at 7.30 pm. Then it’s the monthly Sunday Comedown comedy open mic at Noisy Chilli Taphouse, also presented by Comedy in Cambodia – 6 pm start.
This weekend, Friday 3 to Sunday 5, get on out to experience the 20th anniversary of the International Music Festival Phnom Penh, three days of performances by international artists at Raffles Le Royal. The festival opens on Friday 3 with works by Mozart and Beethoven performed by the Chamber Music Ensemble of Sipakorn University, Bangkok. On Thursday check our sister page, LengPleng.com, the online music magazine for Cambodia, for an interview with Festival Director Anton Isselhadt.
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Saturday 4 at Sa Sa Art Projects, Body in Space: a performance by Rady Nget, part of the public programme of the current exhibition Moments in Light by Kong Siden. “Through this concept, I have sealed myself as a body that suffers from the positive and negative effects of natural changes that also affect humans and animals. Climate change can be caused by humans, and people are more likely to suffer if these developments are ignored.” 6.30 pm.
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Ongoing….
Exhibitions:
Chhan Dina Gallery
Currently showing Apsara Dancing – new works by painters Sous Sodavy, Chhim Sothy and Chhan Dina. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am – 6 pm.
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Eleven One Kitchen presents cloudscape, an exhibition of paintings by Josephine Sta.Ana.
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The Gallerist
A continuously rolling collection of works by mostly Cambodian artists. Currently showing Flourish, a new exhibition by Thun Dina.
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Hotel Old Cinema (Kampot)
Kaleidoscope, an exhibition of prints by Tamara Venn celebrating Cambodian wildlife.
Java Café Tuol Tom Pong
Nostalgia, a community exhibition of photos from personal collections curated by Prum Bandiddh, Cheng Vanthan and Dana Langlois.
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Meta House
(Visions) On the Future, by Metaestetica Lab. “Metaestetica Lab @ museum represents an attempt to create the only contemporary art museum in Phnom Penh … self-proclaimed and managed by Carlo Santoro.” Artists on display will include Suos Sodavy, Chhim Sothy, Tor Vutha, Khun Vannak, Vuth Lyno, Lim Sokchanlina and Robit Pen.
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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
Rosewood
Diamonds are Forever, a group exhibition by TRIBE Cambodia.
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Shophouse Studio/Pteah Chas
A Timeless Collection of An Unforgettable Past, an exhibition of paintings by Morn Chear. Until October 31.
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Romchiek 5 Art Space
Battambang contemporary art studio. Rolling exhibitions.
Sa Sa Art Projects
Rays of time, an exhibition by Kong Siden. “Through digital technology, the artist compresses and transforms his photographs and video records of changing urbanscapes and landscapes of Cambodia into collages of illuminated colors and textures. A sense of micro and macro universe collides as the images continuously mutate like moving paintings.” Runs until 30 November. Media: Kiripost (English), Phnom Penh Post (English)
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Sofitel Resort (Siem Reap)
Smile Of My Father, a solo show by Ponleu and TRIBE Cambodia. Until October.
Media: Prestige
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Space Four Zero
Prints, paintings, vintage posters, pop art, CDs and vinyl. Open daily.
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Sra’Art
The Face Value, works by Gabriel Grela Mesa and John Ansell. “Mesa’s paintings provide a glimpse into the lives of modern Cambodian people, while Ansell’s mixed media pieces focus on the lost people of Cambodia’s past. The portrait exhibition offers a unique perspective on the country’s history and culture, highlighting the beauty and challenges faced by its people.”
WILD (Siem Reap)
Humans of Phnom Penh photographic exhibition by Phnom Penh Photographic Collective
Regular events, classes, sessions:
Drink & Draw every Monday at Cloud, 6.30 pm.
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Every Wednesday at Speak Easy Theater presents a new format for comedy on Wednesdays – Stand up: Unscripted. “Your written suggestions will be spun into brand-new, hilarious jokes by your favorite Comedy in Cambodia comedians and their guests.” 7.30 pm.
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Play Café and More Flamingos present watercolour workshops on Thursday evenings at 7 pm. Places limited.
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Thursdays to Sundays at K’Atelier – art classes for all levels of experience.
Kids Art Club, Saturdays and Sundays at Air Gallery by Sra’Art at Factory Phnom Penh, 10 am and 11 am.
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N o w h e r e Art Studio
A range of arts and crafts workshops mostly on weekends.
A weekly class in life drawing for kids with Anastasia at Pteah Chas Community.
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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. [Note: waiting for update]
First Sunday of the month at 6 pm at Noisy Chilli Taphouse, Comedy in Cambodia presents Sunday Comedown open mic.
Kumnooh was established in May 2013 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 and now 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