Instant Gratification The great thing about living in Cambodia is that if you want to draw an elephant, you can just go out an take a picture for reference. Taken Friday the 28th. (Thanks Vuth!) Tags: Cambodia

The Chambâk Tree: Opening A capacity crowd came to see Srey Bandol's paintings (The Chambâk Tree) at the French Cultural Centre, Thursday 27 April. Bandol (below, orange shirt) is quite fluent in French and English, and was quite happy to see both an appreciative crowd and his Phnom Penh friends. As an art buff and art teacher, he's been known to do day trips from Battambang simply to attend an exhibition opening or art event for a few hours - and then turn around and commute straight back. Now that's hardcore. Over fifty boards utilize paint, dirt, sand and glue to tell his life story in words and pictures. It's a gripping mixture of content and form, I hope these are published as a book some day. (Khmer-English-French translation please!) The symbols are good luck charms, often accompanying a central image and described by text written in sand. Image and text share space with expressive spatters of paint indicating the daily chaos in this narrative. By all means, if you're in Phnom Penh, don't miss it. And if this wasn't enough -

next: Exhibition at Reyum, of Bandol's huge pencil drawings. Looking at Angkor: An exhibition and publication of Srey Bandol's drawings Opening: Friday, May 5th, 2006 at 5 pm Reyum 47, Street 178, Phnom Penh

Tags: Cambodia

Cambodian comic artists got their day in the (Mediterranean) sun, as part of exhibition BD À BASTIA.: March 30, 31, April 1 and 2. Samples from Séra's 2005 workshop were exhibited as a part of the event. (Participants were Tek Tevin, Nhek Sophaleap, Lim Santepheap, Moeu Diyadaravuth, Phal Phouriseth, Chan Nawath, Sovana Sim, Touch Rethy, Kim Samath, and Sang Sok Chamrong.) (above: Séra rencontre)

Click for event poster, site,or press. http://www.una-volta.org/bd2006.pdf http://www.una-volta.org/pages/bd2006.html http://www.jdcorse.fr/cgi-bin/pages/accueil.pl?infoid=107&smenuid=8 (Cheers to Séra and Pierre for info!)

In Search of Khmer Hip Hop Part 4: Don't Sleep Enough talk about Soben Huon - she's working within the system to gain attention, acclaim and then leverage that to become a lawyer. Here's an alternate example: some Khmer/SE Asian women running their _own_ game, making their own music and clothing from scratch. Both approaches are valid, depending on who you are, what your skills are and where you're from. And the hitz just keep on coming. Vice Versa have a show Saturday - IF you're in the LBC. They say: What's up!!! We'll be performing with the following dope bands!! Come by and check it out!! Hit us up if you want to roll!! We got a $5 guestlist before 9:30. We will be performing right at 9:30. Check out the songs on our page!! If ya like us and Chapter 11, Bredarin Daddy's, and B-foundation!! It's a dope line-up! Don't sleep!!! http://www.us562.com/ http://myspace.com/viceversa1562 (mp3s here) [Navin? Silong? I'm gonna delegate you to locate serious Mujestic Back Catalog in the USA.] Camboland needs real hip hop like Naga Casino needs a facelift. Also Khmer students at UCLA have something underway, more at What's On. Tags:hiphop, Cambodia

The Nou Hach Literary Journal has had selections published in a Japanese language edition. (Next, French and English!) Annual awards will be presented June 24, 2006. www.nouhachjournal.net Tags: Cambodia

Mujestic - a label fulla stuff

And Google search pulls this up:

Khmer Kid http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pageartist.cfm?bandID=141201 www.myspace.com/keentertainment

Tags:hiphop, Cambodia

The Chambâk Tree Srey Bandaul Opening: French Cultural Centre:

Thursday 27th... 6.30 pm

Srey Bandaul learned to draw in 1986 at the "Site 2" refugee camp, on the Thai-Cambodian border. His teacher, Mrs Véronique de Group (from France) still works with Association Phare Ponleu Selapak in Battambang. "Chambâk" is the name of a wild tree whose fruits are edible. One can also eat the stone inside.

“Chambâk”, is also the name of a little girl who Bandaul was in love with when he was 9. It was his first love and it happened during extremely complicated circumstances and in a time of cruelty, violence and misfortune...

Bandaul lived during this 13 war years with his family, during these years he committed his destiny to the Buddha. The goddess of the earth protected him, she offered him a refuge to sleep, and helped him dodge the bullets. This exhibition recounts Bandaul's complex and chaotic journey, which is reflected can be found in the letters written with sand and pictures exhibited at the French Cultural Center.

[from 'What's On', more at http://jinja.apsara.org/blog/2005/08/paintings-phare.htm ] Tags: Cambodia

In Search of Khmer Hip Hop Part 2 Down at the CD shop, what do I find? Why look, some Khmer Hip Hop, from 'Galaxy CD'. from the barely legible label (click for larger image): Cover Design: N.P. Sophea Tel: 012 865 649 E-mail: (looks like) nphan@forum.org.kh Galaxy CD#135E St 19 S Che Chumnas K. Daun Penh (North To Wat Saravan) Curiously, the lyrics on the back all look like songs from Khmer-American rapper Prach's earlier efforts. What's sad is that for all the money, hours and effort involved in copying and distributing this CD, they probably could have rented a studio and cut a track or two. If they had the confidence or interest, that is. Tags: Cambodia,hiphop

In Search of Khmer Hip Hop Part 1 Geoff and I hit the opening of club 'R&B' a few weeks back. (#56 Street 360 Boeng Keng Kang 111, Chamkamon, Phnom Penh Cambodia) There was a free feed, and more importantly some enthusiastic breakdancing by a crowd of returnee Khmers. Geoff was full of anecdotes about the Turkish hip hop scene, which apparently is also really taking off. We'd just spent most of our pocket money on a new phone (long story) so we spent our time nursing our $2 beers and attempting to get some shots of the breakin' . Alas my digital camera's flash was lame. (when in doubt, go analog! I should have gotten a disposable camera.) Above is a shot of a dance crew doing their thing on the stage, part of the opening festivities. Really intriguing to see how hip hop is globalizing but would suggest some cheaper prices if they want to get a crowd that really appreciates hip hop. I think cultivating the returnee community is key, they have the potential to be a valuable social bridge between two cultures. More pix: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jinja_cambodia/125595707/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/jinja_cambodia/125595435/ Related links: Returnee Integration Support Program http://rispcambodia.org Tiny Toones ('Break Dancers of the Bassac') have a web site! http://www.tinytoonescambodia.com/ Tags: Cambodia,hiphop

French Literary News about mainland Southeast Asia; PDF format.

Looks like our neighbor to the west is also doing some networking.

Asia Addict & more Barangs Draw Cambodia: Artist "Mats!?" has a travel memoir out about Southeast Asia, reminiscent of Jerry Swaffield, just a tiny bit. Includes cartoons about Cambodian temples and Khmer pop. Available from Spark Plug Comic Books. http://www.sparkplugcomicbooks.com/books/asiaddict/pages/Asiaddict.html http://www.sparkplugcomicbooks.com/books/asiaddict/pages/Asiaddictpg2.html http://www.sparkplugcomicbooks.com/books/asiaddict/pages/Asiaddictpg3.html And here's a downloadable PDF comic by Jose Encinas. It's from the 'Better Factories' International Labor Organization project (with many other partners) addressing Cambodia's standards and competitiveness. Worth a look, everyone is wondering why the Cambodian garment trade hasn't disappeared to China. Well, here's some explanations why. Looks like they've put a lot of work into their project. And they're taking a tip from top rated 'message' soap opera 'Taste of Life', they are doing their own soap opera called 'At the Factory Gates'. I must get a look at this. Tags: Cambodia, comics

Happy New Year! And Khmer New Year hits in full force. Curious about the games? http://www.frizz-restaurant.com/khmer-new-year.html (Courtesy Sweet Cucumber) And Phnomenon lists some breakdowns of different games too. http://www.phnomenon.com/index.php/cambodian-food/meta/khmer-new-year/ Tags: Cambodia

Hit Counter Perhaps the biggest search referral I'm getting of late has been "Soben Huon". Especially with the blogosphere picking up on it. Virtually every Khmer message board is covering the competition. Here in Cambodia Ms. Huon even made the cover of 'Popular Magazine'. http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2006/04/10/cambodia-khmer-american-celebrity-joins-weblogger-community/ http://ki-media.blogspot.com/2006/03/please-help-soben-huon-first-cambodian.html http://www.asiapundit.com/2006/04/miss_khmerica.html http://friskodude.blogspot.com/2006/04/cambodian-american-is-miss-utah.html http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/172114/ 'Friskodude' and others might want to take note that Miss Utah can go on to compete for Miss USA and Miss Universe, but Miss America is a different pageant organization. I'm not a big fan of beauty pageants, but when in high school one of my friends was up for 'Miss Torrance' and I was gamely supportive. (I learned all kinds of amusing arcana as a result, watching her stress out. Did you know that some of the contestants use tape so the dress or swimsuit stays in place?) Based on this news story, Ms. Huon wants to be a lawyer. (The Khmer community definitely could use some more lawyers! Cool.) "Huon said she is very interested in politics and greatly admires Condoleezza Rice." Hmm... perhaps a USO show in Iraq will follow? Tags: Cambodia

"Buy Cambodian Products!" aims to display and sell Cambodia?s quality products especially products by local people of Kampong Speu province to the local and international community. Cambodian products can compete well in today?s competitive global environment. The trade fair delivers the following messages: Products are made in Cambodia! Buy Products of My Village, Create More Jobs for Cambodians! We offer Competitive Quality and Competitive Price! More Jobs, Better Services! Buy Cambodian, Save Cambodians! The trade fair objectives - Promote local production and awareness of domestic products. Promote local services and awareness of these services. Expand the market for local producers and service providers of Kampong Speu province Activities from 9:00 AM ? 5:00 PM include ? Displays and sales of Cambodian products (goods and services). Singing and dancing contest Khmer traditional games Khmer traditional dancing for Happy New Year Enjoy Khmer New Year at Ampe Phnom resort, Kampong Speu province to help promote Cambodian Products. Furhter information, please visit : www.khmerproducts.com Contact: Sruy Len slen@khmerproducts.com Tags: Cambodia

Khmer Renaissance: www.khmerenaissance.info 20 new articles online. Khmer text is scanned; that's one way to be accessible. Tags: Cambodia,

Hand Painted signs I love this stuff. Mythicaldude is webbing up a fair collection himself. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythicaldude/ And check out this article. http://www.cambodianscene.com/index.php?target=article&title=quintessentially Tags: Cambodia

'Good Books' - a TV show about literature TV Station: TVK Tuesday morning from 7:10am - 8:00am Monday afternoon from 5:10pm-6:00pm (re-run) The first show has already been broadcast on TVK on Tuesday, 4th April, 2006 in the morning, but will be repeated on next Monday 10th April, 2006 from 5:10pm-6:00pm. Thanks to the Cambodia Book Sector Federation. [from What's On] Tags: Cambodia

Opening April 4: more details @ What's On.

*Getting harder to find quiet time for writing and recording. Lots going on.

. . .