Author Archives: jolanta

Recalling Galileo, all bodies fall equally fast in a gravitational field. The wise man’s revelation does not apply to art exhibitions though, which fall at different times and speed but may nevertheless end up in the same center of gravity. Joining the Center Selma Stern Haluk Akakce, Birth of Art, 2002/03. DVD projection. Image courtesy […]

The title alone, "Bragging Rights: The Largest Bowie Knife Ever Made" efficiently presents the exhibition?s various themes by invoking the cheesiness of an American roadside attraction?s typical boast. Jesse Bercowetz and Matt Bua, Bragging Rights: The Largest Bowie Knife Ever Made Elwyn Palmerton Jesse Bercowetz and Matt Bua, Bragging Rights installation view. Image courtesy of […]

The hardest part of Mary Coble?s performance "Note to Self," at Conner Contemporary Art, wasn?t the marathon, eleven-plus hour inkless tattooing session the artist endured. Mary Coble, Jorge, Jose Jr., Joseph, Joseph, Joseph Susan Ross Mary Coble, Note to Self. Courtesy of artist. The hardest part of Mary Coble’s performance "Note to Self," at Conner […]

As the main food source of the Vietnamese people, the rice grain is a very familiar image. It is also the chosen subject matter of an exhibition this September in Vietnam that combines poetry, music and visual art. Rice Grain Nguyen Hoang Bao Ngoc Le Thiet Cuong. Courtesy of author. As the main food source […]

The title alone, "Bragging Rights: The Largest Bowie Knife Ever Made" efficiently presents the exhibition?s various themes by invoking the cheesiness of an American roadside attraction?s typical boast. Jesse Bercowetz and Matt Bua, Bragging Rights: The Largest Bowie Knife Ever Made Elwyn Palmerton Michael St. John, In a daze ’cause I found god, 2003. Plaster, […]

Java Café is one of Phnom Penh’s leading exhibition spaces for contemporary art. Exhibitions feature the work of contemporary Khmer artists as well as international artists working in Cambodia. Regrettably, and with few exceptions, it’s unusual that one finds much there of interest. Ex-Pat Pollution Bruce Blowitz Michele Vanvlasselaer. Java Café is one of Phnom […]

Contemporary Cambodian artists have been concealed for a long time. Visual Arts Open in December 2005 will be the occasion for these artists to face the public nationally and internationally. Visual Arts Open Linda Saphan Visual Arts Open Auction and Fundraising Contemporary Cambodian artists have been concealed for a long time. Visual Arts Open in […]

Is it possible to find contemporary art in a country where the effects and memories of a devastating war are still lingering? Is it reasonable to expect artists to dedicate themselves to this purely intellectual pursuit in a country where much of the population is still struggling for survival? Emergence Linda Saphan Sopheap Pich exhibition […]

I have been living in Cambodia for three years. Due to this, my knowledge of Cambodian artists is limited, gained for the most part from talking to local artists and the small number of publications. S-21 Revisited Sopheap Pich Vann Nath, First Night at S21. Courtesy of artist. I have been living in Cambodia for […]

On an altogether pleasant late August morning, Svay Ken, septuagenarian master of contemporary Khmer art, is situated close to the door of his studio, brush and palette in hand, adding layers of texture and meaning to his current painting. Svay Ken: Light at the Beginning of the Tunnel Bruce Blowitz Svay Ken, The journey home […]