Phnom Penh: The rendez-vous for photography lovers is back in Phnom Penh and is celebrating its 15th edition from November 21 to 24, 2024. The Photo Phnom Penh Festival rolls out the red carpet for photography for an opening weekend full of surprises.
Created in 2008 at the initiative of Alain Arnaudet, the director of the French Institute, and Christian Caujolle, artistic director, the Phnom Penh Photo Festival was born from an observation: the total lack of training in professional photography, as well as access to the work of foreign photographers in Cambodia. The principles of the festival quickly emerged: facilitate the sharing of works between Asia and the rest of the world, particularly Europe, and present said work without favoring a style or school, showcasing authors and artists of all origins and aesthetics, thus helping to the emergence of contemporary Cambodian photography.
The first year, it was difficult to find Cambodian artists whose work could be exhibited, and the audience was, in its vast majority, composed of expatriates. Ten years later, we’ve seen real progress. In 2018, during the tenth edition, ten Cambodian photographers were exhibited on the wall of the French embassy; twenty-five had their work projected during the opening night, and the audience was already very largely Cambodian. And this year, the festival opens at the same time as the inauguration of the very first photography training school in Cambodia: Studio Images—House of Photography.
Taking up the name of Studio Images, which was at its beginnings the photography training workshop of the French Institute, it is thanks to the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) that this independent structure was born. Active since September, this house has already established a strong partnership overseas: with the famous Ecole Nationale Supérieure de la Photographie d’Arles in France. Véronique Souben, its director, will be present at the inauguration of this 15th edition.
After Switzerland and Taiwan, France is this year in the guest country chair, with many French photographers being honoured throughout the festival. Thus, Vincent Fournier and his fantastic plants and animals, Jean-François Spricigo and his quiet contemplation of the nature that surrounds us, Aglaé Bory and her documentary series questioning youth and culture, as well as the works of the writer-photographer Alexandre Bergamini and seven students from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de la Photographie d’Arles, will converse all together throughout exhibitions to be discovered at Factory Phnom Penh.
This edition will also be enhanced by a new partnership with the SOSORO Museum, which will host Christine Spengler’s major exhibition, “Retrospective.” For fifteen years, the self-described “war correspondent, visual artist, and writer” has, in black and white, been the woman who has borne witness to the greatest number of armed conflicts. On February 11, 1974, Christine Spengler photographed the first bombing of Phnom Penh by the Khmer Rouge. The photo she took, a dark vision of the end of the world, was published around the world. Fifty years later, the photograph returns to Cambodia, as a testimony of memory and in homage to a great artist.
Asian photographers are not forgotten, with new Cambodian authors such as Sovanna Ly at the Bophana Center, Sam Ang Ourng at the Institute, and Vietnamese artist Chiron Dong at the Plantation Resort & Spa. Sereyrath Mech at F3 (Friends Future Factory) and Sovanna Kem at Phnom Penh Airport will present new proposals to document today’s Cambodia and its evolution.
The tuk-tuk remains the symbol of Photo Phnom Penh as well as a popular and effective medium, allowing easy and immediate access to culture for the general public. The 2024 edition is proud to once again organize the famous tuk-tuk tour of the festival, this time scheduled for two days, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November. It will introduce festival-goers to the different exhibition venues in Phnom Penh and will facilitate meetings with the artists.
At the same time, an exceptional musical event is joining the festival’s associated program, with the arrival, for the first time in Cambodia, of two legends of French rap: Oxmo Puccino and Demi Portion. Scheduled for Saturday, November 23 from 8 p.m. at the Factory Phnom Penh, this evening of decidedly strong French accents promises an unforgettable artistic encounter. Tickets are on sale on LIVE. By Wonderpass now.
On Thursday, November 21st, from 6pm for the festival kick-off at the French Institute of Cambodia. In addition to the opening cocktail, the following events are planned for that evening:
A retrospective exhibition of 60 photographers who have made the history of the festival in 60 unpublished photos in Cambodia, in the gallery of the Institute; the series “The Beloved Kampong Som” by Ourng Sam Ang, exhibited outdoors; the outdoor screenings of “The Rubber Tappers” by Rotha MOENG; “Paysage(s)fleuve” by Aglaé BORY; and “Meeting for portraits.” by the Collectif Studio Images—House of Photography.
Photo by: Supplied
