David Thomson on the Cambodian Artists Project Conference

I was invited by LINC (Leveraging Investments in Creativity) to be a delegate to the Cambodian Artists Project Conference held February 14-18 in Phnom Penh. The delegates, from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Australia and the US, included artists, producers, academics, and art administers.

The Cambodian Artists Project was a joint venture of LINC and AMRITA Performing Arts, an NGO established by LINC to further its mission in supporting the preservation and development of the Khmer artistic communities, primarily in Phnom Penh. Amrita is in the midst of transition, Fred Frumberg, who has been at the helm since it’s inception 10 years ago, is moving on. Suon Bun Rith and Kang Rithisal, who have been his second in commands will take over running the NGO in the beginning of 2009. For the past three years the organization has focused on individual artists in various disciplines by offering opportunities to apply for grant money in support of creative projects. This was the last year of the grants.

The four day conference involved performances, presentations by some of the grantees, workshops, and breakout sessions. The focus of the conference was to meet with the artists and discuss how these grants have impacted their work; generate further dialogue on what they felt was needed to continue; and help AMRITA determine the needs of the community and how they can reformulate the organization to address those needs.

Phnom Penh is a city in transition. With constant construction changing the landscape from dirt roads to paved and flowered boulevards you know that it will be another place in 5 years. Due to the intense rise in real estate value the Royal University of Fine Arts was rebuilt 5 miles out of town after a developer bought the land it occupied in Phnom Penh. This has had a huge impact on the arts community since RUFA served as a hub of activity for

the community even after they graduated. Being that far out of town with very little access to transportation has had a large impact on the community and their ability to create work.

Tuk tuks, deep fried tarantulas (actually quite tasty and well seasoned…like soft shelled crabs), motorbikes riding into oncoming traffic, delicious fish, laughing while bargaining with vendors, the overwhelming labyrinth called Central Market with everything from textiles, bushels of edible insects, sneakers, electronics and jewelry, smiling faces and constantly being called “sir” by vendors trying to catch my attention.

I travelled to Siem Reap after the conference. Mark Russell, one of the other delegates, had the same idea so we joined forces and had a great time visiting the temples, shopping and taking a few moments of poolside repose. Needless to say it was an intense 10 days that I was incredibly blessed to experience.