Coming next month to Speakeasy Theatre is an experimental non-verbal puppetry performance, Scylla and Glaucus, the second production by the newly formed Lo-Key Theatre Company,. Kumnooh was curious and went to talk to director, artist and puppeteer Marika Els.
“I’ve been wanting to do this for 15 years,” she says. “The first attempt was in 2008 as part of my Master’s degree, but I got really ill and had to cancel. When Rob Appleby, Paul Glew and I started Lo-Key Theatre Company they asked what show I would like to do first. I said I know exactly – it’s written, it’s done, I have everything, I just need to build the set and the puppets. It’s finally happening.”
So who or what are Scylla and Glaucus? “It’s based on a myth from Ovid’s Metamorphoses – Scylla is a nymph and Glaucus a sea god. In this show there’s no talking; the story is told through the movement of puppets by myself and Sam Thomas, with music provided by Raven Norwood on violin. I have the outline of the story, what I want to happen where in each scene, but it will be a matter of improvisation to figure out how to portray emotions like sadness and longing, and the passing of time. The first few rehearsals will be all about improvising and getting to know the puppets.”
And why puppets? “Firstly, no one cares about puppets as much as I do. Puppets make me happy. I have a huge collection at home, one that I hope to grow. Right now life is basically caffeine, nicotine and puppets. And the occasional glass of wine. A little bit of puppet work, a little bit of set work. The construction of puppets is tedious, because of the wait. I use papier mache and papier mache pulp, so I have to wait for things to dry – it takes days to weeks to actually make something that is worth looking at. And I am in a bit of a rush, because I must finish the set and the puppets so we can start rehearsals.”
We also know you from visual art exhibitions in Phnom Penh. When did you first get involved in the arts? “I’ve been doing art – be it theatre or painting or drawing or sculpting or whatever – since I was very young. I did my first theatre competition when I was six years old. My parents, especially my father, encouraged this passion of mine, and always made sure I had art materials. I never took art as a subject in school, but I had private art classes through high school, and my teacher quickly realised that teaching me just a little bit of technique would suffice, because the rest just came instinctively. I’m a very instinctive creator, I don’t sit for hours and plan out things. When my brain doesn’t know what to do my hands can to it by themselves. It’s the same with the puppets that I’m doing now – when the brain runs out of ideas my hands just instinctively know what to do.
“I didn’t go to art school because I realised too late that I needed a portfolio to apply, and was too lazy to make one; I chose theatre instead. In my third year I chose acting and puppetry as specialisations. Puppetry was the perfect medium, it brought together my art and my acting. I had done puppetry a few times prior to actually studying it, but it never occurred to me that this is a thing that I should be doing. I did shows and I painted backdrops, did all kinds of things for a friend of my mum’s who did puppet shows. Now every time since then I go through an emotional upheaval and I feel a need to come back to me, to ground myself again, the first thing I reach for is puppets.”
But the visual art is not far away. “My first show in Phnom Penh was at Cloud – And then I lost my mind, a solo exhibition. And then a while later I did My Portal, My Abyss with Emily Marques. I haven’t exhibited since, but I’ve been painting. At some point I should organise an exhibition again, because I’ve got way too many paintings, all hanging in my house, which is nice, but the only person enjoying them is me.
“My Portal, My Abyss delved a little bit into performance art; I came up with the idea of blind painting, where the artists are blindfolded, and all the tools, the paints, the brushes, random things like forks and sponges and chopsticks – whatever I could find, basically, that I thought would make interesting texture – are handed to the blindfolded artists by the audience, so it’s a collaboration. 20 minutes of painting and then a little break so the paint could dry, and then another 20 minutes of interacting.
“It’s not so much about the product for me, it’s more the process. I really want people to interact with art. One of my paintings is a little notebook that I papier mache’d onto a papier mache’d canvas – and at first glance it just looks like a 3D painting of an eye – I added a note: please interact with the artwork. Because it’s a notebook filled with sketches. I like things to be sensory – touch the art.”
Marika got involved with long-running theatre troup Phnom Penh Players through a collaborative show called Life, Love and Other Illnesses. “One of the shows in it was called Andrea Rescued, which called for puppets. I built them out of wire and wet wipes. Initially we were wanting to set the puppets on fire, and of course the theatre said no. I was really disappointed. We did a test run and it looked so good! So we had to make a different design choice. I stuck to the wet wipes, just not dowsing them in alcohol, but made the skin not as strong, so that the actors could rip the skin off and expose the wire skeleton. They would destroy the puppets every night on stage and I would have to frantically fix them overnight. And for Scylla and Glaucus I’m recycling those puppets.
“Phnom Penh is a place where I’ve been able to experiment more with lower risk. I don’t want to play to an empty house, but it’s great to have the support of Paul and the Speakeasy Theatre to have a space for this sort of thing. Is everyone going to love it? Probably not. It’s a tragedy, not a rom com. So don’t see ‘puppet show’ and think Punch and Judy, or The Muppets, or Team America. I’m trying to give people something different.
“Puppets live in the land of magic, and they can do amazing things. Even though they have static features, the emotion they can convey can be so powerful. As much as the puppeteer gives life to the puppet the audience also brings it to life because they project onto it their thoughts, their emotions, their own experience.”
For those who are interested in exploring more, Marika is booked in for a Nerd Night presentation on 31 July on self-expression through puppetry.
Lo-Key Theater Company is holding an information evening at The Box Office on Thursday 13 for their Summer Sessions – an exciting contest featuring 10-15 minute short plays. More info
Thursdays to Sundays at K’Atelier – art classes for all levels of experience. This week art journaling, watercolour class, group and teen classes, Creating with Surrealism.
Beton Craft Studio offers Terazzo with Recycled Glass classes on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16, 10.30. Spaces limited. More info
Saturday 15, Make Polymer Clay Creations workshop at One Park, Boeng Kak. More info
Sunday 16, as part of the exhibition by Chummeng Soun, A Cosmic Assemblage: Collision, there will be a workshop at 2 pm; another will be held on July 22 at 7 pm. More info
The Look Up! AstroEXPO comes to Meta House on 25 July, an exhibition of astrophotography with workshops and talks taking place on Saturdays up until 10 August. More info
The Phsar Art art fair, curated by N o w h e r e Art Studio, will be held at The Ground Market, Chbar Ampov, on 29 and 30 July. “Prepare to be amazed by the abundance of unseen art products that will be available at the market. Phsar Art offers an artistic market experience where you can purchase affordable art while supporting local artists.” More info
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.
The 6th annual Khmer Literature Festival is coming soon – watch this space, and this one too. The literary competition is now open for submissions (until 30 September) – the theme is Colourful Voices. More info
Java Creative Café’s new project, in conjunction with We Film Lab and RUUB Studio, will be an exhibition of Cambodian film photography to take place from October. They are currently calling for submissions on the theme of nostalgia – find out more at their website. Deadline for submissions is 31 August.
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. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am – 6 pm. More info
The Gallerist A continuously rolling collection of works by mostly Cambodian artists. Currently showing is works by Chhan Dina, Nak Noy, Stan, Chhim Sothy, DinArt and Thun Dina. More info
Hotel Old Cinema (Kampot) Kaleidoscope, an exhibition of prints by Tamara Venn celebrating Cambodian wildlife.
Meta House The Trap of Life – a new exhibition by Battambang born painter Sou Sophy. “Trap of Life consists of 24 pieces made out of plywood, recycled paper and glue with a strong environmental message. The works focus on how humans impact the physical environment in many ways, such as pollution, burning fossil fuels, deforestation and poaching.” 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
Shophouse Studio/Pteah Chas A Cosmic Assemblage: Collision, “an extraordinary collection of transcendental pieces that illuminate the profound life interpretations of Cambodian American multidisciplinary artist, Chummeng Soun.” Until 31 July. More info
Sa Sa Art Projects Myth in Motion, a video art exhibition by featuring five international women artists – Martha Atienza (Philippines), Ana María Millán (Colombia), Thao Nguyen Phan (Vietnam), Ana Vaz (Brazil) and Connie Zheng (US). Until 12 August. More info
Space Four Zero Prints, paintings, vintage posters, pop art, CDs and vinyl. Open daily. More info
Sra’Art Becoming. “This poetic exhibition from three friend artists: the paintings of Rena Chheang, the surrealist mixed-media pieces of Dahlia Phirun, the poems of Miguel Jeronimo – explore the themes of vulnerability, human form, inner conflicts and the discomfort and contradictory joys of writing our own identity. The relentless necessity for self-actualisation and embracing what we can be. 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. [Note: waiting for update]
Kumnooh was originally 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.
Thursday 6 from 6 pm at Chhan Dina Gallery – works of Dina and Sou Sodavy. 6 pm – 9 pm.
Friday 7 at Sa Sa Art Projects, a lecture by Sam I-Shan: Black Box White Cube: Decoding Video Art and Artists’ Films, as part of This event is part of the public program of the exhibition Myth in Motion. From 6 pm, English language event with Khmer interpretation.
On Saturday 8, the soft launch of Air Gallery by Sra’Art at Factory Phnom Penh. “We are also thrilled to invite both Cambodian and international artists to apply for our studio space on a ( 3-month ) time slot, followed by an epic launch party to celebrate their artistic journey. Express your interest and let your artistic spirit soar! Join us for Kids’ Art Club, open studio exhibitions, art installations and launch parties.” 10 am – 5 pm. More info
For its next project, La Troupe de Théâtre Francophone de Phnom Penh is looking for two male actors, ideally aged 25 – 40 for one and 50 – 65 for the other. A demanding schedule of 20 rehearsals between late November and January with performances 18, 19 and 20 January 2024.
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.
The 6th annual Khmer Literature Festival is coming soon – watch this space, and this one too.
Java Creative Café’s new project, in conjunction with We Film Lab and RUUB Studio, will be an exhibition of Cambodian film photography to take place from October. They are currently calling for submissions on the theme of nostalgia – find out more at their website. Deadline for submissions is 31 August.
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 is works by Chhan Dina, Nak Noy, Stan, Chhim Sothy, DinArt and Thun Dina. More info
Hotel Old Cinema (Kampot) Kaleidoscope, an exhibition of prints by Tamara Venn celebrating Cambodian wildlife.
Meta House The Trap of Life – a new exhibition by Battambang born painter Sou Sophy. “Trap of Life consists of 24 pieces made out of plywood, recycled paper and glue with a strong environmental message. The works focus on how humans impact the physical environment in many ways, such as pollution, burning fossil fuels, deforestation and poaching.” 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
Shophouse Studio/Pteah Chas A Cosmic Assemblage: Collision, “an extraordinary collection of transcendental pieces that illuminate the profound life interpretations of Cambodian American multidisciplinary artist, Chummeng Soun.” Until 31 July. More info
Sa Sa Art Projects Myth in Motion, a video art exhibition by featuring five international women artists – Martha Atienza (Philippines), Ana María Millán (Colombia), Thao Nguyen Phan (Vietnam), Ana Vaz (Brazil) and Connie Zheng (US). Until 12 August. More info
Space Four Zero Prints, paintings, vintage posters, pop art, CDs and vinyl. Open daily. More info
Sra’Art Becoming. “This poetic exhibition from three friend artists: the paintings of Rena Chheang, the surrealist mixed-media pieces of Dahlia Phirun, the poems of Miguel Jeronimo – explore the themes of vulnerability, human form, inner conflicts and the discomfort and contradictory joys of writing our own identity. The relentless necessity for self-actualisation and embracing what we can be. 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. [Note: waiting for update]
Kumnooh was originally 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.
Drop Cloth … a few things you might not know about…
Jose Antonio Pineda. Poet, actor, dancer, writer, singer – Frisco Tony, as he is also known, is more active in the arts in Phnom Penh than many individuals a fraction of his age. This Friday he is taking part in Poetronica 2 at Meta House – an on-going experiment in the fusion of poetry with electronic music, video and other effects. “They’re taking a multimedia approach, to make poetry readings less boring,” he says. “Nico [Mesterharm, Meta House director] thinks it’s important to make it into a performance that is evolving itself, to bring poetry to the people, to make the audience involved and interested.”
An aspect of the poetic arts that you think is overrated: The first person confessional poetry format is both overused and overrated. I prefer third person poetry, narrative poetry, other forms of poetic expression. The first person confessional poetry peaked with Jack Kerouac, John Berryman, Delmore Schwartz, and young people today use the format because it’s easy and accessible but not necessarily poetic.
An aspect of the poetic arts that you think is underrated: Generational art movements, like the Beats, the Surrealists, the Existentialists – they all continue to inspire. Today there’s not so much that is generational, everything is done in an individualist manner – it’s not about working together. My greatest inspiration when I was a young kid in the Haight Ashbury with the Straight Theatre, and we produced a poetry reading for Michael McClure called The Ghost Tantra, and I was given the honour of introducing Michael on stage. Through Michael I met Jim Morrison and Richard Brautigan – he was trying to create a generational movement for us younger people, which took me a long time to grasp.
An early memory of poetry: When I was younger there was a little movement in the low-rent neighbourhoods in San Francisco, the Haight Ashbury, North Beach – I call them Neo-beats, because they weren’t hippies yet and they weren’t really Beats, they were post-Beat. They had poetry readings and block parties and a lot of small printing presses like Illuminations that were publishing local poets. A lot of really good people came out of that, like Ed Bullins, the Black playwright, who was part of Black Arts West. I remember meeting Carolyn Cassady, wife of Neil Cassady. Many people were passing through there at the time who came to be important or influence in the future, but they weren’t defined yet. It was really, really a great time.
The last thing you had to eat: Burger and fries at Tacos Kokopelli.
Where did you get your start as a poet? Michael McClure inspired me to write – he was very kind, he would give me advice. Richard Brautigan also was very, very kind and very interested in what young people were doing at the time. It took me a long while to get into the format of writing – I learned a lot about writing from doing cinema reviews, going around to film festivals, and sooner or later I developed a certain style, and my poetry started to grow, and my prose is in evolution right now. I have a little project called Once Upon A Time in San Francisco that’s receiving some attention and I hope to have that in publication some time soon.
When did you first come to Cambodia? 2012. I was here for two days, and I was quickly invited by Dana Langlois of Java Café to be part of a reading night. It was quite a shock to see that there was such a nice culture going on here, and I thought this must be a great place to be.
A book or movie you keep going back to: I can’t get enough of La Dolce Vita. It really inspired me, the whole Fellini concept, the acting, the episodic nature of the film, and how it managed to involve the arts and music and literature and cinema in one work. I’ve seen it dozens of times. The other I’ve seen many times is, funnily enough, The Girl Can’t Help It – one of what we used to call jukebox movies, the MTV of the time. Jayne Mansfield and Little Richard and Eddie Cochran, all the old 50s rock’n’roll stars. Completely the opposite of an art film like La Dolce Vita.
What languages do you speak? English and Spanish. Taxi and café French and Italian.
A country that you would like to visit: Greece. I think I would like to live in Greece. I heard a story of a Greek-American from New York, in his 60s he was told he had terminal cancer so he went to Greece to live out his days. When he gets to Greece it’s all olive oil and wine and great food and people living with several generations all around. He’s 87 now. I think it must be a pretty nice place.
Something people might be surprised to know about you: My first flamenco dance teacher was a beautiful lady named Teresita Osta who was quite famous. She danced everywhere, she worked in movies in LA, and she was just a beautiful person. I realise now that I never really got the handle on her. Recently somebody posted on Facebook a picture of her – she just died at age 90 or something, went to the grave looking gorgeous.
A question from the last participant: Have you ever failed at what you do? How hard did you fail and how did you bounce back? I failed a lot, especially going through the auditioning process. You have to take it in your stride and get on with it. As far as writing is concerned it’s a learning process anyway. I learned a lot from writing little books and stories and poetry. It’s not so much that you learn what to do, it’s that you learn what not to do, and that’s pretty important. You really notice that in film – learn what not to do, and that makes what you do more important. It’s the same with writing.
Event listings:
Tonight, Tuesday 27 at Meta House, the opening of mixed media exhibition Go With The Flow. “Public transport is the obvious way forward if we are to ensure that Phnom Penh is livable in the future. Meta House and Metaestetica Lab team up for an art exhibition project, which reflects the local communities’ unique aesthetic, environmental, scenic, historical, and cultural values. Mixed-media art by professional artists will be exhibited alongside collages, which have been conceived during two workshops with Italian architect and urban designer Carlo Santoro. We thank our young Cambodian participants from the Cambodian Children Fund and Sunrise, as well as their facilitators.” From 6 pm. More info
Friday 30 at Sa Sa Art Projects, an artist talk by Jean Alex, as part of their Pisaot experimental residency program, June – July 2023. “Jean Alex is working on various kinds of projects, design, videos, ceramics, art installations. He is a creative mediator working in collaboration with people and local contexts. He co-founded a Khmer French cultural association called POUMA’KHMER, that aims to create a space promoting and celebrating past, present and future stories of the Cambodian diaspora in France. Fulling a long process identity quest, he wants to create a link between the different cultural spaces that he is evolving through.” From 6 pm, English language event with Khmer interpretation. More info
Friday 30 Meta House presents Poetronica 2 featuring poets Kosal Khiev, Yeng Chheangly, Chan Samnang, Choun Sopheap, Miguel Jeronimo, Jose Antonio Pineda along with music from Eclectic Universe. From 7 pm. More info
On Saturday 1, Pteah Chas presents the opening of A Cosmic Assemblage: Collision, “an extraordinary collection of transcendental pieces that illuminate the profound life interpretations of Cambodian American multidisciplinary artist, Chummeng Soun.” From 7 pm, runs until 31 July. More info
On 7 July at Sa Sa Art Projects, a lecture by Sam I-Shan: Black Box White Cube: Decoding Video Art and Artists’ Films, as part of This event is part of the public program of the exhibition Myth in Motion. From 6 pm, English language event with Khmer interpretation. More info
For its next project, La Troupe de Théâtre Francophone de Phnom Penh is looking for two male actors, ideally aged 25 – 40 for one and 50 – 65 for the other. A demanding schedule of 20 rehearsals between late November and January with performances 18, 19 and 20 January 2024.
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.
The 6th annual Khmer Literature Festival is coming soon – watch this space, and this one too.
Java Creative Café’s new project, in conjunction with We Film Lab and RUUB Studio, will be an exhibition of Cambodian film photography to take place from October. They are currently calling for submissions on the theme of nostalgia – find out more at their website. Deadline for submissions is 31 August.
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 is works by Chhan Dina, Nak Noy, Stan, Chhim Sothy, DinArt and Thun Dina. More info
Hotel Old Cinema (Kampot) Kaleidoscope, an exhibition of prints by Tamara Venn celebrating Cambodian wildlife.
Meta House Mixed media exhibition Go With The Flow. “Public transport is the obvious way forward if we are to ensure that Phnom Penh is livable in the future. Meta House and Metaestetica Lab team up for an art exhibition project, which reflects the local communities’ unique aesthetic, environmental, scenic, historical, and cultural values. Mixed-media art by professional artists will be exhibited alongside collages, which have been conceived during two workshops with Italian architect and urban designer Carlo Santoro.” 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
A Cosmic Assemblage: Collision, “an extraordinary collection of transcendental pieces that illuminate the profound life interpretations of Cambodian American multidisciplinary artist, Chummeng Soun.” Opens on 1 July from 7 pm, runs until 31 July. More info
Sa Sa Art Projects Myth in Motion, a video art exhibition by featuring five international women artists – Martha Atienza (Philippines), Ana María Millán (Colombia), Thao Nguyen Phan (Vietnam), Ana Vaz (Brazil) and Connie Zheng (US). Until 12 August. More info
Space Four Zero Prints, paintings, vintage posters, pop art, CDs and vinyl. Open daily. More info
Sra’Art Becoming. “This poetic exhibition from three friend artists: the paintings of Rena Chheang, the surrealist mixed-media pieces of Dahlia Phirun, the poems of Miguel Jeronimo – explore the themes of vulnerability, human form, inner conflicts and the discomfort and contradictory joys of writing our own identity. The relentless necessity for self-actualisation and embracing what we can be. More info
Wednesdays to Sundays at K’Atelier – art classes for all levels of experience. Coming soon: 28 June, Create with Watercolours; 29 June, Art Journaling, 30 June, Neurographic Art
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 June update]
Kumnooh was originally 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.
Tuesday 20 at 6 pm at Bophana Center a lecture by Var Sovannrath on the book Mahabharata with Khmer Art and Society. Copies will be available for sale. More info
Tuesday 20 from 7 pm Apple Tree Productions presents the June edition of “SING” – a celebration of musical theatre at The Box Office. “Event open to one and all. Seating inside is limited so come early.” For more about Apple Tree Productions and their events see last week’s feature interview. More info
Friday 23 at 6.30 pm, Sra’Art hosts a wine and art pairing. Tickets limited. More info
Saturday 24 from noon at Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, as part of the closing of Ponleu’s exhibition Elements of the Lotus, you can have a kimono custom painted – also live painting. More info
Saturday 24 The Speakeasy Theatre presents two LGBTQ charity shows – 7.30 pm and 9 pm – tickets $7.50 with all proceeds going to A Place to be Yourself, a Siem Reap community centre. More info On Sunday 25 at Raffles Le Royal, a piano recital by Lee Jae Phang with music by Schubert and Debussy. 7 pm. More info
Sunday 25 from 6 pm at Chhan Dina Gallery – works of Dina and Sou Sodavy.
27 June at Meta House, the opening of mixed media exhibition Go With The Flow. “Public transport is the obvious way forward if we are to ensure that Phnom Penh is livable in the future. Meta House and Metaestetica Lab team up for an art exhibition project, which reflects the local communities’ unique aesthetic, environmental, scenic, historical, and cultural values. Mixed-media art by professional artists will be exhibited alongside collages, which have been conceived during two workshops with Italian architect and urban designer Carlo Santoro. We thank our young Cambodian participants from the Cambodian Children Fund and Sunrise, as well as their facilitators.” From 6 pm.
On 30 June Meta House presents Poetronica 2 featuring poets Kosal Khiev, Yeng Chheangly, Chan Samnang, Choun Sopheap, Miguel Jeronimo, Jose Antonio Pineda along with music from Eclectic Universe. More info
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.
The 6th annual Khmer Literature Festival is coming soon – watch this space, and this one too.
Java Creative Café’s new project, in conjunction with We Film Lab and RUUB Studio, will be an exhibition of Cambodian film photography to take place from October. They are currently calling for submissions on the theme of nostalgia – find out more at their website. Deadline for submissions is 31 August.
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 is works by Chhan Dina, Nak Noy, Stan, Chhim Sothy, DinArt and Thun Dina. More info
Hotel Old Cinema (Kampot) Kaleidoscope, an exhibition of prints by Tamara Venn celebrating Cambodian wildlife.
Meta House The Trap of Life – a new exhibition by Battambang born painter Sou Sophy. “Trap of Life consists of 24 pieces made out of plywood, recycled paper and glue with a strong environmental message. The works focus on how humans impact the physical environment in many ways, such as pollution, burning fossil fuels, deforestation and poaching.” 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
Shophouse Studio/Pteah Chas Living with Nature, an exhibition by Jessy An. “Living with Nature is a solo exhibition of digital artwork that aims to capture the essence of living happily in nature. Artists always create masterpieces that showcase the beauty and uniqueness of each living being and its harmony in nature through the use of color diversity and embracing the beauty of nature as a foundation. The exhibition chronicles the artist Jesse’s journey, revealing the evolution of his artwork, the obstacles she overcame before reaching the creation of today’s masterpieces.” Until 25 June. More info
Sa Sa Art Projects Myth in Motion, a video art exhibition by featuring five international women artists – Martha Atienza (Philippines), Ana María Millán (Colombia), Thao Nguyen Phan (Vietnam), Ana Vaz (Brazil) and Connie Zheng (US). Until 12 August. More info
Space Four Zero Prints, paintings, vintage posters, pop art, CDs and vinyl. Open daily. More info
Sra’Art Becoming. “This poetic exhibition from three friend artists: the paintings of Rena Chheang, the surrealist mixed-media pieces of Dahlia Phirun, the poems of Miguel Jeronimo – explore the themes of vulnerability, human form, inner conflicts and the discomfort and contradictory joys of writing our own identity. The relentless necessity for self-actualisation and embracing what we can be. 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. [Note: waiting for June update]
Kumnooh was originally 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.
Apple Tree Productions International, founded in Phnom Penh in May 2022, put on the first edition of their first project, “SPEAK”, the following month. After a year of successful events, Kumnooh spoke to co-founder Cat Isaacs to shed some more light on “SPEAK” and what’s behind it.
““SPEAK” is a spoken word/poetry platform for the showcasing of original work by poets from any background – local, expat, travelling through – once a month at Botanico, where we get the words off the paper and transform them into speech.”
On Wednesday 14, for three hours only at Pi-Pet-Pi Gallery, The Extended Dimensions of Space, an immersive laser show by Metaestetica, in parallel with the Battambang Street Festival 2023. From 6.30 pm. More info
Thursday 15, Meta House hosts the Phnom Penh Players’Story Slam. 7 pm. “The prompt is any story relating to food, no matter how delicious or disgusting. Every performer gets the spotlight and microphone for six minutes. The audience decides the best story.” More info
Friday 16 from 6 pm, Chhan Dina Gallery will be open showing a variety of works by active artists. More info
Friday 16 Sra’Art presents a wine and art pairing event, from 7.30 pm. $30 for two hour tour. More info
Sunday 18 at Pteah Chas from 6 pm, the opening of a digital art exhibition by Jessy An, Living With Nature. “The exhibition is a journal of Jessy’s art journey, in which you can see how her work progressed, the challenges and emotions she overcame along the way before becoming the current series. The artist found comfort in nature, and it helped her heal, which greatly influenced her artwork. She aspires to convey the wonder of the natural world, the tranquility and joy that nature has bestowed upon us.” More info
On 24 June The Speakeasy Theatre presents two LGBTQ charity shows – 7.30 pm and 9 pm – tickets $7.50 with all proceeds going to A Place to be Yourself, a Siem Reap community centre. More info
On 25 June at Raffles Le Royal, a piano recital by Lee Jae Phang with music by Schubert and Debussy. 7 pm. More info
On 30 June Meta House presents Poetronica 2 featuring poets Kosal Khiev, Yeng Chheangly, Chan Samnang, Choun Sopheap, Miguel Jeronimo, Jose Antonio Pineda along with music from Eclectic Universe. More info
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 is works by Chhan Dina, Nak Noy, Stan, Chhim Sothy, DinArt and Thun Dina. More info
Hotel Old Cinema (Kampot) Kaleidoscope, an exhibition of prints by Tamara Venn celebrating Cambodian wildlife.
Meta House The Trap of Life – a new exhibition by Battambang born painter Sou Sophy. “Trap of Life consists of 24 pieces made out of plywood, recycled paper and glue with a strong environmental message. The works focus on how humans impact the physical environment in many ways, such as pollution, burning fossil fuels, deforestation and poaching.” 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
Shophouse Studio/Pteah Chas
Group art exhibition Mixed Media MayII on the theme of Reconnecting to Nature – interaction between people and nature, the importance of nature, and architectural buildings and nature. Until 14 June. More info
Sa Sa Art Projects Myth in Motion, a video art exhibition by featuring five international women artists – Martha Atienza (Philippines), Ana María Millán (Colombia), Thao Nguyen Phan (Vietnam), Ana Vaz (Brazil) and Connie Zheng (US). 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. [Note: waiting for June update]
Kumnooh was originally 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.
Apple Tree Productions International, founded in Phnom Penh in May 2022, put on the first edition of their first project, “SPEAK”, the following month. After a year of successful events, Kumnooh spoke to co-founder Cat Isaacs to shed some more light on “SPEAK” and what’s behind it.
“SPEAK” is a spoken word/poetry platform for the showcasing of original work by poets from any background – local, expat, travelling through – once a month at Botanico, where we get the words off the paper and transform them into speech. It’s an opportunity to grow the performance element of poetry, and build confidence in sharing work. There’s some incredible writing going on, across many styles. Initially we tried coupling it with music and creating a collaborative ambient soundscape, but as it developed we found it was better for the writers to just get a chance to read, particularly for first time performers.”
At first the platform was set up largely for seasoned writers looking for a space to share, but that too changed. “What has happened is that some people have come to the event and been inspired to write for the very first time, which is beautiful. I never expected that that was going to be such a highlight of what we were doing. So “SPEAK” has really taken a turn towards training first time performers, coaching them with the performance element.
“We encourage the poets to write about what they know, not in the sense of only exploring only the things you’re familiar with, but to focus on the genuineness of experience, which has seemed to draw people in. It’s not people just writing for the sake of writing, it’s work that’s coming from an internal space. And it’s a beautiful thing to witness it in that form, almost like a healing process for some of the writers, where they’ve got something inside them that they just need to share. And you can feel when writing is fake, you can feel when somebody is making a farce of the form. The respect that all performers, even new ones, have shown to the space has always come from a genuine place, and that has really connected with people. It wasn’t something we tried to manufacture. There’s no hate speech, and there’s no vulgarity directed towards anyone – those are the only caps that I’ve put on the writing. Just minimal guidelines, it’s translated very well that way.”
Tell us more about Apple Tree Productions. “Arts and theatre and drama really saved my life, and my skill set is growing ensemble and coaching, and using the arts as a medium for healing. The projects that we’re launching focus celebrating the arts and providing a therapeutic space for anyone going through tough times without an outlet.”
The other Apple Tree Productions project currently running is “SING”, which celebrates musical theatre and show tunes. “With “SING” I work with Kirsty Marillier, an absolutely phenomenal performer with a preference for the Disney side of musical theatre; she also runs a kids’ party business called Party Princess 911. We worked together on a version of “SING” in South Africa – appreciating the world within the song, taking you on a journey from beginning to end. We thought musical theatre is not really being done in Phnom Penh, so let’s try it out. And don’t be thinking it’s karaoke. There is a screening process for performers including a vocal test, making sure that they are able to learn a song if they need to, and each show is rehearsed, including a tech rehearsal, before the one-night-only mini show. Paul Glew very generously provides space for us at The Box Office and sorts out all the sound and lighting.”
“SPEAK” is held on Mondays once a month, always trying to avoid clashing with Nerd Night – this monthis actually the first time the two events will happen on the same night. For future activities of Apple Tree Productions International check out their Facebook page – they also post regularly in a number of Facebook groups and noticeboards of various kinds.
The next “SPEAK” will happen on Monday 19 June, and the next “SING” will happen on Tuesday 20 June.
Tonight, Tuesday 6, 6 pm at Meta House, The Trap of Life – the opening of a new exhibition by Battambang born painter Sou Sophy. “Trap of Life consists of 24 pieces made out of plywood, recycled paper and glue with a strong environmental message. The works focus on how humans impact the physical environment in many ways, such as pollution, burning fossil fuels, deforestation and poaching.”
Wednesday 7 at Sa Sa Art Projects, the opening of Myth in Motion, a video art exhibition by five international women artists – Martha Atienza (Philippines), Ana María Millán (Colombia), Thao Nguyen Phan (Vietnam), Ana Vaz (Brazil) and Connie Zheng (US). 6 – 8 pm. More info
Also Wednesday 7, Sra’Art presents the opening of Becoming. “This poetic exhibition from three friend artists: the paintings of Rena Chheang, the surrealist mixed-media pieces of Dahlia Phirun, the poems of Miguel Jeronimo – explore the themes of vulnerability, human form, inner conflicts and the discomfort and contradictory joys of writing our own identity. The relentless necessity for self-actualisation and embracing what we can be. ” Plus aerial dance performance by Mel Nutter. More info
Friday 9, 6 pm at Bophana Center, a film screening and discussion with filmmaker Vanna Hem, Lotus Sports Club. Khmer and English language event. More info
Friday 9 at Meta House is Pride Month Poetry Night from 6.15 pm – a selection of readers with an open mic portion to follow the main event. More info
Also Friday 9 at Meta House, from 8 pm, 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.” Followed on Saturday 10 by the World Student Film Festival.
Saturday 10 at Hotel Old Cinema in Kampot is the opening of Kaleidoscope, an exhibition of prints by Tamara Venn celebrating Cambodian wildlife.
On 15 June, Meta House hosts the Phnom Penh Players’Story Slam. 7 pm. More info
On 19 June Apple Tree Productions presents the June edition of SPEAK – a night of poetry and spoken word performances at Botanico. 7 pm. More info On 25 June at Raffles Le Royal, a piano recital by Lee Jae Phang with music by Schubert and Debussy. 7 pm. More info
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 is works by Chhan Dina, Nak Noy, Stan, Chhim Sothy, DinArt and Thun Dina. More info
Meta House The Trap of Life – a new exhibition by Battambang born painter Sou Sophy. “Trap of Life consists of 24 pieces made out of plywood, recycled paper and glue with a strong environmental message. The works focus on how humans impact the physical environment in many ways, such as pollution, burning fossil fuels, deforestation and poaching.” 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
Shophouse Studio/Pteah Chas Group art exhibition Mixed Media MayII on the theme of Reconnecting to Nature – interaction between people and nature, the importance of nature, and architectural buildings and nature. Until 14 June. More info
Sa Sa Art Projects Myth in Motion, a video art exhibition by featuring five international women artists – Martha Atienza (Philippines), Ana María Millán (Colombia), Thao Nguyen Phan (Vietnam), Ana Vaz (Brazil) and Connie Zheng (US). 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.
Kumnooh was originally 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.
Eriq Henri Madsen: born in the USA, citizen of the world, and a true Khmer soul. His signature greeting for everyone he met, a warm “Hello, Dear”, still rings in our ears. He died on April 24, 2023, and his talent, service, and deep kindness will be missed by the countless people who were his friends, students, fellow artists, and advocates. His family in the US has requested that Tribe Art Cambodia and his friends offer the remaining pieces of artwork for sale – all of his last collection will be on show and available for purchase. His distinctive work is playful and imaginative – he tells the story of each of us. Please join us and consider taking a piece of Eriq’s life and imagination home with you; it will greet you each day with “Hello, Dear”. Saturday and Sunday at Pi-Pet-Pi Gallery (next to Enso Cafe), 10 am – 6 pm.
Drop Cloth … a few things you might not know about…
An artist or an aspect of the arts that you think is overrated: Comedy during the pandemic. Bo Burnham was the only one to do anything productive. All the rest of us were performing to empty Zoom rooms or drive-in car parks in LA where people sat in their cars tuning their radio to the mic frequency and flicking their headlights on and off to signify laughter. Like a bad cheese fever dream directed by Wes Anderson. Zoom comedy, for me, was the third circle of Hell. Dying on stage is hard enough without dying simultaneously in forty rooms filled with semi-dressed, depressed and overly-medicated Millennials unsuccessfully trying to find the mute button.
An artist of an aspect of the arts that you think is underrated: Crowd work. Great comedians who aren’t so well known such as Ian Bagg in the US, Irish guy Wes Dalton and Brit Jon Pearson who have the ability to literally stand there and incorporate audience input. I love the idea of comedy as a conversation – albeit a mostly one-sided conversation. My favourite comedians always make me feel like they are talking to me and make the event feel like a one-off. Another aspect of comedy I love is the ability to ruffle feathers – especially of authority. I recently went to Hong Kong and the secret police were in checking on what was being said. I like that ability that comedy has, to paraphrase George Carlin, ‘to make people laugh and whilst their mouths are open, pop an idea in’.
An early memory of comedy: Coming into a smoky living room at my grandparents’ house while Billy Connolly was on the telly. People were literally weeping with laughter. My family are Irish so laughed a lot anyway and jokes and humour were a big part of my life growing up, but long shaggy dog stories from Billy Connolly or Dave Allen are strong nostalgia moments for me. I was young when my Nan died. Because we’re Catholic, they kept her in the front room prior to her burial. Someone came around to read the electricity meter and my Grandad absent-mindedly said “oh, it’s in the front room, next to my wife”. Poor guy came out white as a sheet and we all howled with laughter. Good times.
The last thing you had to eat: Ginger-infused peanut butter on sourdough toast! What a tosser! But yesterday I ate pad krapow, the classic Thai street dish of minced pork or chicken with holy basil and chilli. I eat a lot and food is very important to me. What should I not miss in Phnom-nom Penh?
Where did you do your start in comedy? I trained originally as an actor in a big London drama school and have a Master’s Degree in performing arts and actor training. I was lucky to be trained by some great clowns and comedy actors. I moved from acting to cabaret about ten years ago and I do a mix of comedy and cabaret mind reading. I was fortunate to be mentored in mentalism by the son of Houdini’s prop maker and I enjoy creating shows. The Edinburgh Fringe was a great teacher of experience and I suppose I started comedy seriously there. Pre-pandemic, I lived in LA and worked hard there to get better.
When did you first come to Cambodia? 2011 is the only other time I’ve been to Cambodia. I visited Siem Reap. Never been to Phnom Penh and I’m excited to be coming back to Cambodia and visiting somewhere new. The last time I was here, I was very taken by how kind everyone was.
A book or movie you keep going back to: I love books, especially fantasy and sci-fi. Iain M. Banks’ Culture series, Joe Abercrombie’s The First Law series, American Gods by Neil Gaiman, Stone Junction by Jim Dodge and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson are all favourite re-reads. Also anything by Dan Abnett. I always re-visit Shakespeare too. Movies: Withnail and I, Labyrinthine, The Italian Job and Le Bossu.
What languages do you speak? I speak passable Spanish and can make myself understood in Portuguese by speaking Spanish with a Sean Connery accent. I know a smattering of Norwegian swear words and how to tell someone I love them, and I am slowly picking up Thai.
A country that you would like to visit: It seems a bit trite but I am a serial traveller. I am always happiest when visiting somewhere new, so in that respect, the next country is the country I’d like to visit! But if you want a different response then Iceland. It seems like a mystical place full of angry geysers.
Something people might be surprised to know about you: I placed third at the World Yoga Championships. The winner won by a long stretch.
A question from last week’s participant – what ambitions to you have for your particular artform, individually or collectively? I am interested in helping to build the scene in Asia for local comics. There aren’t enough opportunities to perform and you need stage time to get better at comedy. I’m part of a group hoping to bring a full fringe festival to Chiang Mai. Purely personally, I want to be able to make enough money in comedy to keep my goat in the manner he’s become accustomed to and to be able to bail or bribe my way out of jail.
Event listings:
Opening today, Tuesday 30, but with a special event on Thursday 1, 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 from 7 pm will include a silent auction and a musical performance by blues band The Blue Souls. More info
From Tuesday to Sunday this week, Meta House presents Pride Film Fest with screenings nightly at 6 pm. Meta House
Opening tomorrow and running through to Sunday is the 12thCambodia International Film Festival – an extensive schedule of screenings at venues all over the city. Download the programme here. Media: CambodgeMag (FR)
Opening on Wednesday 31, a group art exhibition Mixed Media MayII at Shophouse Studio. Theme is Reconnecting to Nature – interaction between people and nature, the importance of nature, and architectural buildings and nature. From 6 pm. More info
Through the coming weekend 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
Saturday 3 at The Art Bar in Kep, the closing night for Serendipitous by Nature: a long view of an artist’s work, an exhibition by Emily Marques. From 6 pm. More info
The Trap of Life – a new exhibition by Sou Sophy, opens at Meta House on Tuesday 6 June. “Trap of Life consists of 24 pieces made out of plywood, recycled paper and glue with a strong environmental message. The works focus on how humans impact the physical environment in many ways, such as pollution, burning fossil fuels, deforestation and poaching.” From 6 pm.
Myth in Motion, a video art exhibition by featuring five international women artists – Martha Atienza (Philippines), Ana María Millán (Colombia), Thao Nguyen Phan (Vietnam), Ana Vaz (Brazil) and Connie Zheng (US), opens at Sa Sa Art Projects on Wednesday 7 June. 6 – 8 pm. 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.” Followed on 10 June by the World Student Film Festival!
Coming on 10 June to Hotel Old Cinema in Kampot is Kaleidoscope, an exhibition of prints by Tamara Venn celebrating Cambodian wildlife.
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
Erick Gonzalez Gallery/L’Atelier d’Erick Gonzalez Exhibition by Tytaart (Cambodia) and Nicolas GUYOT (France). “A bridge that takes us from the visible to the imaginary, from the concrete to the conceptual, and finally from the personal to the universal.” Until 22 May. Media: Cambodge Mag (FR)
The Gallerist A continuously rolling collection of works by mostly Cambodian artists. Currently showing is works by Chhan Dina, Nak Noy, Stan, Chhim Sothy, DinArt and Thun Dina. More info
Meta House Opening Wednesday 17 to mark International Day Against Homo- and Transphobia, an exhibition entitled The Art of Drag – “Five thoughtfully curated photo sequences capturing the essence of drag performance.” 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
Space Four Zero Prints, paintings, vintage posters, pop art, CDs and vinyl. Open daily. More info
Sra’Art Pop up exhibition by Sra’Art and Let Us Create Futures featuring Delphine Vaudiau, Joshua Chiang, Olga Shklyar, Roberto Crucitti, Ryssa and Lolli. Special Thursday night event from 7 pm will include a silent auction and a performance by The Blue Souls. 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.
Kumnooh was originally 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.
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.
The advantage of course was that we had plenty of time; the disadvantage was that the venues could not be open to the public, so these exhibitions had to be seen by reservation only. I had to take groups of (maximum) 10 people around the gallery, and give a little talk. This evolved later into two ‘video talks’, unrehearsed and one-take affairs, one on Naoki Mabuchi’s classic photos of the Khmer Rouge era and the other on Refugees—Forty Years Later, which consisted of my photos taken in 1980 around the Thai-Cambodian border and the refugee camps, notably the largest one, Khao I Dang.
The latter exhibition comprised over 100 images. Despite the audience limitations, it enjoyed as much exposure as we could hope for in the circumstances, and was favourably received. It was on display for over a month, as there was nothing to replace it at the time, and the ‘gallery talk video’ went on YouTube. This in fact made it accessible to a much wider audience than we had envisaged. Most of those who viewed it were interested from a historical, objective point of view, but few had any close connection with the events it depicted.
Six years earlier, in January 2015, I had met an American filmmaker named Robert Douglas at the Cambodian International Film Festival. One of his 30-minute documentaries, From The Heart Of Brahma, was screening in the festival. Our shared interest in Cambodian dance and music led to a close friendship. Rob got married to a Cambodian lady, Navy, and went back to the States. We kept in contact.
Rob lives in Long Beach, LA, and a lot of his work as ‘visual anthropologist’ is centred on the Cambodian community. He mentioned a few times that it would be a great idea to show photos of the refugee camps in California, and my reaction was “Yeah, maybe, but it’s a long way away, isn’t it?” Pie in the sky. I had no desire to go to America either, especially at that time when COVID was still rife. If I’d been the praying kind, I would have been praying for Rob and Navy’s survival, but a visit to Trumpland was bottom of my list of things to do.
However, last year, as the world began to open up again, I started getting intimations of a scheme from Rob. He was talking with the Cambodia Town Long Beach community, and thought they might offer to host the Refugees exhibition in LA. I still did not give much credence to the idea, though I appreciated Rob’s enthusiasm and positive attitude. Then Rob informed us that the Cambodia Town community and Phnom Penh Sister Cities committee had given the green light, and would fund us with $5,000 to pay for our air tickets. In LA, we could stay with Rob and Navy and play with their three lovely kids, who were always running around full of energy, shrieking. A dream come true.
We arrived in LA on March 28th, a few hours after we left Phnom Penh, since we were travelling forward into yesterday. We were loaded with baggage, four suitcases containing photographs and copies of the Dancers book for sale. Rob picked us up at the airport and took us to his home by a circuitous route, stopping off to say hello to famous rapper PraCH Ly and sightseeing at the beach and Trump’s country club. We were high as hell on lack of sleep and jetlag so it didn’t bother us. It took about two hours to reach his house, which is 20 minutes from the airport.
The next few days were spent assembling the photo panels in Rob’s garage, scouting the exhibition venues and meeting important people in the Long Beach Cambodian community. We noticed that Cambodian Americans seemed to have a lot of energy and talked a lot, very fast. We also noted that a noodle soup cost $20, which was equal to one-and-a-half books at the Cambodian price.
Our first event was 2nd April, the day of the Cambodia Town Parade. The photo exhibit went on display in the Manazar Gamboa ‘black box’ theatre. We had found out the theatre itself was too dark for the display, and there was no convenient lighting in it. Furthermore, it would be used for dressing up and rehearsing on the day of the parade. So the photos went up in the theatre lobby, which turned out to be just big enough. The parade in the morning was impressive, with ‘Trot’ dancers and Chhayam drummers, and a number of Apsaras.
The exhibition was open from 1 pm to 6 pm and it was crowded from opening to close – we had not expected this kind of reception. People were flocking to see the pictures, and many were saying they had been there in 1980, and they had stories to tell. Some became emotional. Our “Khmer family” in LA (I had met them in Khao I Dang refugee camp in 1980) were there, and were actively promoting the book, which featured some photos of one of the sisters as a dancer. She had been a shy, shrinking violet at the time, but had later matured into a star saleswoman for Shiseido cosmetics. She sold about thirty books in a few hours, and I was kept busy signing them while listening to stories told by onlookers about their experiences in KID and how they reached it from the border and how they got to the USA after that, via Malaysia or Indonesia….
Khao I Dang’s population in May 1980 was 130,000 and a large number of those people ended up eventually in Long Beach. They had memories but almost no photographs to document their time in the refugee camps. Their children had to listen to those memories, but they too had few visual connections to the experiences of their parents. And now there were all these photos, full of faces and familiar scenes of everyday life on the border… and so many smiling faces, because I was there at a time between the misery and suffering of 1979, when the first refugees poured out with the Khmer Rouge, and the later period when many settled into a routine lethargy of despair, stuck in a camp for years with no way out. It was a time of ephemeral euphoria, when many were relieved to have food and security, health care and hope for the future, after nearly four years of deprivation and terror under the Pol Pot regime.
From 5th to 9th April, the exhibition was on display at Museum of Latin American Art in LA. There is not much connection between Cambodia and Latin America apart from refugee status (from Guatemala, for example) but we were thankful to them for providing us the space in their entrance hall.
In the afternoon of 7th April, I did a slideshow and talk on the exhibition, and there was a panel discussion in the spacious conference hall. On 8th, we showed two screenings of Rithy Panh’s film Site 2, both to full houses. This film was made in 1989 in an even larger camp than Khao I Dang (the population of Site 2 at its highest topped 190,000). Some of the inhabitants had been in Khao I Dang before Site 2, others had arrived later, or been evacuated from the border hamlets of Nong Chan and Nong Samet after they had been wiped out by the Vietnamese. The film was preceded by a revealing interview with Rithy Panh about the making of the film, and together these served as an appropriate bookend presenting a contrast to the optimism of the Khao I Dang photos. After the screening, a Q&A session sparked many questions and comments. It was interesting that many people confused Site 2 with KID, when in fact they were different places.
Logistically, the tour held together reasonably well. We had to fly from LA to Seattle and from Seattle to Sacramento, and we couldn’t carry the photo displays on the plane. So we had to ship them to SF in advance. Setting up and taking down became a streamlined ritual. We used easels supplied by the venues.
America encourages creativity. Everyone should have their input considered. This sounds good, except that one good proven idea is worth any number of useless ones, however imaginative they may be. We found we had to be brutally firm sometimes in saying: “No! We’ll do it like this. Leave us alone.” We were dictatorial, but we had to be to get anything done. Another annoyance was over the choice of photos for posters and fliers. For example, we were told that anything showing violence, children or nudity would be unacceptable to ‘people on the Board’. Bit of a problem there, since the refugee camps were full of kids, many of them stark naked! Consequently, we had to make do with some banal images that lacked impact.
From 14th to 17th April, we were in Seattle for film showing (15th) and slideshow/exhibition (16th). Khmer New Year celebrations were held at Wat Chas (the old pagoda), a picturesque temple in a valley. The smaller population of Cambodians here were somewhat different. Many had originally come from rural areas, not Phnom Penh, and they were more involved in farming than business.
From 17th to 22nd, we were in Napa (at a private gallery, by invitation) and San Francisco, at San Mateo College. In Napa, we just hung stuff up along a garden fence for a popup afternoon show. Indian dancers came to provide entertainment. The wine was good, but the weather was cold, and people didn’t stay after sunset.
‘Frisco was our last stop, and we finally had time to enjoy the company of some old Cambodian friends (from 1974) and some of the sights recommended by our bluesman friend Big D. Walker (Muir Woods for the redwood trees, and “The Saloon”, oldest blues bar in San Francisco).
On 21st at San Mateo College, we set up the exhibition (which had been shipped from LA) for the last time, and I did a combined presentation with Neak Kru Charya Burt, dance master sister of Sophiline Cheam Shapiro, the famous dancer who recently performed a prayer dance in front of stolen artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum, New York. One highlight of this session was when I jokingly invited anyone who saw themselves in the photographs to make a claim, and one woman literally ran up to the front of the stage with a “That’s me!”. She was one of the students at a dance class in Khao I Dang.
We left America just after midnight on 23rd April. The 19 display panels were adopted by Dr. Susan Needham, anthropologist, co-director of the Cambodian Community History & Archive Project (CamCHAP), a community-based research and learning centre created in 2008, who will use them for educational purposes.
The last word should be an enormous Thankyou to our ‘road manager’ Rob, aka Carl Off, aka Robert Carleton-Chhaing, who drove us around, filmed everything, accompanied us almost everywhere, and put up with our complaints and my sense of humour.
As a postscript, my only harmonica performance in LA was for Rob’s kids, who ran around me in circles shouting and screaming in perfect harmony.
The photographs on display in “Cambodian Exodus—From the Border to Khao I Dang” and many more, can be found on the website.
Some copies of the book “Dancers” are still available in Phnom Penh, please email for details: colingrafton@yahoo.com
Photos: supplied. “These are all from Manazar Gamboa Theater on April 2nd. The lady in turquoise is Dinaka, who is also the central dancer in the colour photo taken 43 years ago, who sold 30 books in a couple of hours. The tall man in black in the cap is Rob, the filmmaker who arranged the trip.”
