January: Two Weddings and a Funeral
Feb 5th, 2005 by Jinja
January: Two Weddings and a Funeral
January kept me busy. (Like I knew it would.) One friend characterized it as ‘Two Weddings and a Funeral’. Unlike the the film of a similiar name, this was
real life…. and as much drama as comedy.
The last few days of December were taken up by submitting a Cambodia -
Indonesia comics exchange, via the Cambodia Book Sector Federation. Hope
they go for it, watch this space.
What did I do in January?
- Wedding of former co-worker Khemro at Mondial Center.
- Got a suit made. My housemates Linda and Sopheap got married in a very
charming ceremony at the house we shared. Lots of dancing to a live band,
hand made decorations. Many local relatives arrived to take part in the
event.
- Back-stopped a shadow puppet show for a delegation of cultural tourists
outside the Bassac Theatre. Puppets by Sovanna Phum, with a suprise opening
guest starring Prach Ly, a Khmer hip hopper returning from Long Beach. Rarely have I heard such flow in Khmer – the kids ate it up.
- Shortly after, found out that Vann Molyvann’s historic Bassac area building (below) will have its tenants evicted to become a shopping mall. A ‘crisis team’ has been set up.
- Moved house. With the newlyweds moving to a new house, and the house lease
coming to an end, they took a new and smaller place, and I landed a house
sitting gig at a friend’s place in Boeung Keng Kang.
- Quick visit to Siem Reap. A number of friends were up for conferences, and I
got to check out some music and dance at Wat Bo.
- Got an incredible gift – the collected New Yorker cartoons. Far out.
- Looked for an office. Going in with a few friends to share expenses.
- Looked for a more permanent house.
- Felt nibbles to publish original unpublished Khmer comics in book format.
More than nibbles, bites.
- Exhibitions by Sandy Shum, Dana Langlois.
- Found out Jerry Swaffield has a new studio in Siem Reap.
- Arranged for some three-D animation to be sent to the upcoming film festival
at Pannasastra University. There’s some good stuff going on at Monash
University, and it should blow some minds even if they see a short clip.
- Observed several couples break up and get together.
- Butoh performance at Sovanna Phum sponsored by a new arts centre in Saigon.
Could be some exchange there.
- Plans for NEW Khmer comics exhibition at French Cultural Centre, Phnom Penh.
- Got my TV and DVD back from Siem Reap.
- Sweated a proposal for Australian shadow puppet exchange.
- Got a phone call – Ingrid Muan from Reyum had passed away. Her enthusiasm,
knowledge and curiosity live on through her books. For the last week, all of
the art world in Phnom Penh has been in shock.
- Took a boat out on the Mekong and watched the sunset.
- Fixed up the cyclo and took it for a ride.
Apologies if I haven’t been great on email.
