The Arts

Hans Kemp and AsiaLIFE’s own Conor Wall showcase the Kingdom’s most curious modes of transportation in their new photographic book, Carrying Cambodia. From six people on an old motorbike to a car roof crowded by a dozen passengers, there is seemingly no end to the inventive ways in which Cambodians take themselves and their wares around the country. It’s a curious sight for newcomers, yet even those who have spent years in the Kingdom often find themselves surprised by the amount of monks that can fit into a tuk-tuk, or the number of bananas a single motorbike can carry. “I got a shot of a …

From the Outback to the Kingdom, meet the latest cross-cultural collaboration on the musical landscape of Phnom Penh. Words by Kate Liana. The karaoke bars of Phnom Penh may seem a long way from war-torn East Timor, but while Australian singer Julien Poulson was unsuccessfully trying to record protest songs in East Timor, Srey Thy was singing in karaoke bars in Phnom Penh. Fortunately for the capital’s music lovers Julien paid heed to a friend’s advice – that the Cambodian capital was a cosmopolitan, enticing city with a lively art scene – and decided to move to the Kingdom. If he had not then…

They may only be in it for the fun, but almost a year and half after formation the Mekong Pirates have proved themselves to be one of the most professional bands in town. Words by Nora Lindstrom. Back after a six-month hiatus, the Mekong Pirates showed last month that they still have what it takes to get Phnom Penh grooving. Armed with five new original songs, the band had the crowd heaving at a recent gig at the Chinese House, with some of the audience even spilling out onto the street. “It was our first gig for a long time, and the ambience was great, it was a really great party,” says drumm…

Semi-abstract meets pop art at Belgian artist Christian Develter’s new exhibition at Chinese House. Words by Nora Lindstrom Following a successful exhibition at the Hotel de la Paix in Siem Reap two years ago, Bangkok-based artist Christian Develter is back in Cambodia with a new exhibition at Chinese House in November. Having developed a soft spot for the country during his last visit, Christian says he didn’t think twice about returning. “As I learnt Cambodia is gearing up to be a regional art hub I thought [another exhibition] was an excellent idea,” adding that he hopes to contribute t…

Explosive remnants of war (ERWs) are given new purpose in Impact, a new exhibition at Bophana Centre highlighting the destructive force of antipersonnel mines. To mark the ten-year anniversary of the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Treaty and to celebrate the achievements of mine action in Cambodia, Bophana Centre will in October host Impact, a unique “mine action art” exhibition featuring artwork by ten Cambodian artists. In the UNDP-funded project, ten artists were given the opportunity to meet with people living on mined and cleared land, as well as survivors of mine accidents, deminers, and others …