IMPACT: an art exhibit about landmines in Cambodia

Excellent new Asia site "through Asian Eyes"

2010-04-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

Anyone interested in arts, culture, and life in Asia should check out the new site asia! through Asian Eyes. I'm not just saying that because they've featured a slideshow of IMPACT artwork -- the site is really good and has all kinds of information about the latest in Asian art, culture, and current events.

From the site:

asia! is an online and mobile platform for Asian bloggers and other writers. For readers, asia! is a place to get a feel for what ordinary Asians are thinking and saying and doing, a glimpse of the Asia that lies beyond the news headlines.

Our editors scour the web for fresh thinking and good writing about what’s going on in Asia. We look for interesting or entertaining perspectives on issues both big and small, and we ask these bloggers and writers to contribute their posts or to collaborate with us in one or another way.

We keep an eye out for interesting people in Asia and we talk to them. Some may be famous, some deserve to be famous; most are just ordinary people going about their lives in the world’s largest, most populous and most diverse continent.

We also watch out for trends that are taking shape, the changing patterns of life – whether personal or professional, social or economic - as Asian countries develop.

And we look for pictures or photo essays that capture all these aspects of Asia.

IMPACT New York opening a success

2010-04-27T02:44:00.000-07:00

Thousands of people from around the world have learned about the situation of landmines in Cambodia through seeing the artwork from IMPACT: an art exhibit about landmines in Cambodia.

The most recent opportunity was at the UN Headquarters in New York. Hundreds of people attended the opening on 5 April, and countless more have seen the exhibit thanks to its prominent position at the opening of the UN visitors center.

On the evening of 5 April, Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Mr. Alain Le Roy presided over the commemoration ceremony, which featured the Cambodian artwork as well as photos by renowned photographers Kike Arnal from Venezuela and Arne Hodalic from Slovenia. Acclaimed Verve recording artist Lucy Woodward and her band performed live music.

Below are some photos of the installation.

Here's the entry to the exhibit, just left of the doors leading into the visitor center.

To the left is the Cambodian artwork, and to the right are the photographs.

You can see both "halls" of the exhibition from this shot. On the front panels of the Cambodian side are the paintings by Bandol, Vichet, and Vutha.

Now we're going clockwise, starting with Dina and Bunna's sculptures.

Next comes Sothy's painting.

Facing Sothy's painting are Riem's painting, Sodavy's collage, and Vanndy's sculpture.

The four young survivors' pieces follow.

Here's a shot of the exhibit from back to front.

Cambodian handicrafts made by landmine survivors were also on display.

In the other "hall" were the photographs by Kike Arnal and Arne Hodalic.

In the center are some Free From Explosive Unexploded Ordnance (FFE UXO).

I visited the day after the opening to take photos, and lost count of the number of people who came through to check out the exhibit during their tour of the UN Headquarters.

Who knew this building could hold such lovely art?

Definitely needed this banner on 1st Ave:

IMPACT at the UN HQ in NYC on 5 April

2010-03-14T07:32:00.000-07:00

It's official: IMPACT will open at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 5 April at 6 pm -- and everyone's invited. Here's the flyer:

The exhibition is part of the United Nation Mine Action Team's celebration of International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. You read more here.

Hope to see you there.

IMPACT film this Friday 5 February at Meta House in Phnom Penh

2010-02-03T02:42:00.000-08:00

Please join us at Meta House this Friday for a screening of Clearing for Results, the 15-minute film about IMPACT: an art exhibit about landmines in Cambodia. The film follows Cambodian artists as they visit mine-affected communities to learn more about the issue in Cambodia, and then create artwork representing what they’ve seen. Several artists will be at the event to talk about their experiences and answer questions.

The screening is part of an evening featuring international and Cambodian artists who have created artwork representing these issues. Renowned sculptor Blake Ward will also unveil his new video installation Burning Buddha and give a talk on human rights and human rights abuses.

The fun begins at 7 pm, so get there early to save a seat. Meta House has a limited food menu and a more extensive drink menu.

What: Film screening and artist talk about landmines
When: Friday 5 February, 7:00 pm
Where: Meta House, #6 Street 264, Opposite Wat Botum (next to Cambodia/Vietnam Friendship Memorial Park)

Siem Reap opening: Srey Bandol on 8 February at Hotel de la Paix

2010-01-27T02:36:00.000-08:00

And for those of you in Siem Reap on 8 February, stop by Hotel de la Paix for les nuages (the clouds), a solo exhibit by Srey Bandol. Drinks start flowing at 6:30 pm.

Phnom Penh opening: Em Riem on 4 February

2010-01-26T01:47:00.000-08:00

For those of you in Phnom Penh on 4 February, stop by the grand opening of le salon des createurs at No Problem Park House at 55 Street 178. The fun starts at 6 pm.

This is one of Em Riem's projects.

Here's the flyer:

Opening night in Cartagena, Tuesday 1 December

2009-12-07T09:03:00.000-08:00

IMPACT was on display at all week at the Cartagena Summit, but an evening reception was held on Tuesday 1 December to highlight the exhibit. Senior-level representatives from Cambodia, Australia, and the United Nations Mine Action Team (co-hosts of the exhibit) provided remarks. Tun Channareth, a landmine survivor and International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) Ambassador who accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the ICBL in 1997, kindly agreed to serve as MC at the last minute.

Here’s a photo of the speakers (pictured from left to right are UNDP Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery´s Senior Deputy Director Miguel Bermeo, Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority Vice President H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Australia´s Ambassador for Disarmament and Permanent Representative to the United Nations at Geneva Caroline Millar, and Tun Channareth):

And the audience (it was packed):

Cartagena Summit President Susan Eckey of Norway also came to the event:

Since the exhibit was next to the press room, it also served as a backdrop for interviews throughout the conference. ICBL Youth Ambassador Song Kosal was interviewed several times in front of the artwork:

As was Tun Channareth:

The exhibit goes up in Cartagena

2009-12-07T08:16:00.000-08:00

Hello from Cartagena, where we had another great opening of IMPACT. We were originally told we couldn’t hang anything from the wall or ceiling (which is difficult when installing an art exhibit of paintings and hanging sculptures), but when we got to the Convention Center, the staff couldn’t have been more helpful and accommodating.

First we unpacked everything:

Then the Convention Center staff helped hang it all (with lots of hand gestures and pointing):

Landmine Monitor release in Battambang

2009-11-21T01:41:00.000-08:00

Last week, the Cambodia Campaign to Ban Landmines organized the Landmine Monitor Report 2009 release in at the Jesuit Service center in Battambang, which doubled as a send-off event for representatives from Cambodia headed to Cartagena for the Second Review Conference of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty. Hundreds of survivors and people living in mine-affected communities attended the event, as did representatives from the Cambodia Campaign to Landmines, the Australian Embassy, the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Center, and UNDP Cambodia.

In addition to sharing relevant information from the Landmine Monitor, the interfaith event included dancing, singing and moving words from survivors and people active in the campaign to ban landmines and cluster bombs.

Ms. Song Kosal opened the event (she'll also be opening the global conference), then representatives from Buddhist, Muslim, and Christian communities gave their blessings.

Next, there was a beautiful Apsara (the traditional dance in Cambodia) wheelchair dance:

The dancers served as an inspiration for Spanish volunteer Maria, who designed the logo:

Next, Sister Denise Coghlan provided an overview of key findings, followed by Man Sokheunn, a young survivor who was featured in a book by award-winning Spanish artist Gervasio Sanchez. He spoke about the importance of banning landmines.

Representatives from the Australian Embassy and the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority also gave remarks.

The event closed with a performance of the landmine dance, which was created in Banteay Preap in 1996 but continues to be performed.

IMPACT article on the UNDP Cambodia website

2009-11-13T03:28:00.001-08:00

Another article about IMPACT was just posted on UNDP Cambodia's website. You can see it here.

IMPACT on Equity Weekly in Cambodia this Sunday and Monday

2009-11-13T03:26:00.000-08:00

If you're in Cambodia, tune into TVK's Equity Weekly program this Sunday at 8 pm to see a feature on IMPACT.

If you're busy on Sunday, you can see the program when it's rebroadcast on Monday at noon.

Cartagena, Colombia, opening is set

2009-11-12T02:18:00.001-08:00

If you happen to be in Cartagena, Colombia, the week of 30 November, please stop by the Cartagena Conference Center's Claustro de las Animas to check out IMPACT: an art exhibit about landmines in Cambodia.

If you want to hear more about the exhibit, come to the special reception on Tuesday 1 December from 18:00 to 18:45.

IMPACT will be on display throughout the Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World.

If you don't plan to be in Cartagena this December, perhaps you'll consider making the trip after seeing the photos here.

And they're off to Colombia

2009-11-12T02:03:00.000-08:00

After the exhibit ended in Phnom Penh, a moving company came and took all of the pieces away. -- in an open-bed truck through the streets of Phnom Penh.

It made me a little nervous but I'm happy to report that all of the various artwork has either been sent to Colombia or safely stored for the next opening, wherever that may be...

more detailed photos of sculptures

2009-10-25T04:06:00.000-07:00

Since the general shots of the some of the sculptures don't do them justice, I've uploaded more detailed photos to the old posts for:

Chhon Dina
Chhea Bunna
Ouk Chim Vichet

Enjoy!

IMPACT on Apsara TV: Tuesday 20 October at 7:30 am

2009-10-15T03:10:00.000-07:00

For those of you in Cambodia, check out the Apsara TV station on Tuesday 21 October at 7:30 in the morning for a special feature on IMPACT.

For those not in Cambodia, check back here for international air dates, as Apsara TV also broadcasts globally.

Once it airs, I'll see what I can do to upload a clip to this site.

Mine Risk Education rap contest in Battambang

2009-10-13T02:04:00.001-07:00

Just got back from a wonderful weekend in Battambang, where there was another event combining art and mine action for a good cause. This time the the art form was music, and it was used in a Mine Risk Education (MRE) rap contest for kids living in Rottanak Mondul (one of the most mine-affect districts in Cambodia).

A what?

Khmer djs Boomer, DJ Sdey, and MC Tola worked with the International Women's Development Agency (IWDA) to teach kids from three different villages rap skills -- while also integrating MRE messages. The groups then battled it out on stage, and the grand prize winners will appear in a new MRE radio ad.

The kids worked on their songs for months before finally performing in front of all of their friends and family (as well as representatives from the CMAA and various mine action organizations). You can read all about it in this Phnom Penh Post article.

My Khmer isn't exactly perfect but it all sounded good to me (and the kids were beyond excited to be up on stage).

Reporters from TVK's Equity Weekly television programme were there to film, and will do a special on both the rap contest and IMPACT. Will let you know when it's scheduled to air.

In total, it was 12 hours in the car over two days, but it was most definitely worth it.

Release in Khmer and English

2009-10-13T01:20:00.000-07:00

Below is the Phnom Penh opening press release in Khmer. Over time, I hope to add all of the artist biographies and artwork descriptions in Khmer as well. It will take some time as most computers don't recognize Khmer font, so everything has to be uploaded as a jpeg (unless you have a better solution). Click on the release to enlarge to a readable size.

The English version is included for those of you who want to test your Khmer/English translation skills.

IMPACT in AsiaLIFE

2009-10-05T21:47:00.000-07:00

In addition to featuring IMPACT on their website, AsiaLIFE has a nice article in their October print edition.

IMPACT online

2009-10-04T19:14:00.000-07:00

The success of IMPACT's opening night was in no small part due to the great network of online resources about what's happening in Phnom Penh, including AsiaLife, Lady Penh, and the Expat Advisory. If you're looking for information about what's on in Cambodia, these are all useful sites.

IMPACT in the Phnom Penh Post

2009-10-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

There's a nice article about IMPACT in the Phnom Penh Post, along with a beautiful shot of Vutha's triptych.

views of the exhibit at Bophana

2009-10-04T18:51:00.000-07:00

Now that you've seen all of the individual artwork, here are some photos of how they came together in the exhibit.

Sot Visai's artwork

2009-10-04T06:35:00.000-07:00

Sasha and Sovann worked with four young landmine survivors to create artwork representing their past experiences and their ambitions for the future. Each artist created one box. Inside each box, the artist painted the story of how his accident happened. On the outside of the box, the artist painted their ambitions for the future. The boxes are hung and people can stick their head inside to see the paintings.

Below is Sot Visai's story and a photo of his artwork.

I was born in Sompov Loun. I am 21 years old and the second of four brothers. My parents are farmers who grow rice, vegetables and some fruit. When I was young I took care of the cows and buffalo with the neighboring children, and I became a victim of an exploding landmine at the age of eight.

One morning, after I had tethered the cows and buffalos, four friends and I went for a walk to hunt for birds and crabs. We were very young and didn’t know about the danger of mines as there were not so many in our area and our parents had not told us about this danger.

My friends found a mine and picked it up because they thought it looked like a pineapple and wanted to play with it. I was quite a long way away from them, perhaps 20 meters. I didn’t know what they were playing with but a moment afterwards the mine exploded. Pieces of the mine hit my left leg and I fell unconscious. When I woke up I was in the hospital.

My mother told me three of my friends had died and one had lost her left arm. When I heard about my friends dying I cried a lot, and I cried even more because I had lost my left leg. I was in the hospital for about one and a half months and had nine operations. About six months later an organization helped my family by buying pigs and chickens for us to look after and sell in the market. After a year back home, my family moved to a different district called Ou Chrov in Banteay Meanchey province.

One day I was walking near my village and I met Aki Ra, who was with a Japanese journalist. Aki Ra was asking me about my accident and where I lived. I told him the story behind my accident and then he had to leave. That evening he came back to my see me at my house and all of my family was very surprised because they had never met him before. Then Aki Ra asked about the situation of my family and he suggested I came to live with him at the Cambodian Landmine Museum (CLMM) so I could get an education.

My parents thought this was a good idea and asked if I wanted to go, but it was only after a few days of thinking about it that I decided to do it. My parents were happy that I was going to get an education but were also very sad that I was leaving. I had never been away from my parents before.

A few days later Aki Ra came back and took me to Siem Reap. When I arrived in Siem Reap I felt very strange because it was full of foreigners and also because the landmine museum was full of lots of landmines on display, most of which I had never seen before. A few months later I started school. It was surprising for me because I had never studied before, and it was so different from life with my family. Now I have lived at the CLMM for nearly ten years and it has changed my life.

In the future I want to train to be an accountant in an office so I can learn more about how to keep finances and start my own business. My idea is to then start a small business as a tailor as I want to design fashionable clothes.

Hon Vichet's artwork

2009-10-04T06:33:00.001-07:00

Below is a Hon Vichet's story and a photo of his artwork.

I am 23 years old. When I was a child, my family lived in Kampong Cham. My father drank a lot and was quite violent, and I ran away when I was three years old. I stopped a car and asked the people to take me to Battambang where I lived on the streets for three years. Kind people gave me money to eat and I bought some polish and a brush and made some money polishing people's shoes outside restaurants.

One day a family asked me if I wanted to stay with them, so at the age of six I went to live in Svay village in Battambang (now Svay Sisophon in Banteay Meanchey). I looked after their five cows for two months before I had my accident. I had tied the cows up and went to have lunch and play with my friends. We ate sticky rice in banana leaves with prahok, very tasty!
I didn’t know that land had mines. It was about two kilometers away from my village, which is quite near the border with Thailand. While we were playing one friend stood on a landmine and pieces of the mine flew through the air and hit my leg. The friend who stood on the landmine died immediately, I fell unconscious, and my other friend went to get help.

People in the village made a stretcher with bamboo and material and carried me to the hospital about two kilometers away. I was already there when I woke up. I was so sad when I saw that I had lost my left foot.

Four months after my accident I went to Phnom Penh, where I lived on the streets for three years. When I was nine years, old Friends International started to take care of me but I left in 2002 at the age of 16 and made some money selling newspapers and magazines on the streets of Phnom Penh. About a year later, I met Aki Ra while I was walking the streets, and he asked me if I would like to live at the Cambodian Landmine Museum (CLMM). I moved to the CLMM and went to school to learn a lot of different things.

In 2008, I went to live in Siem Reap and earned money playing traditional music in Banteay Kdei temple. It was during a visit to see my friends back at the CLMM that I heard Aki Ra was sick. I went to see him and he asked me if I would like to train to be a deminer with his organization, Cambodian Self Help Demining (CSHD).

I have now learned about clearing the land of mines and am happy to be a deminer. In addition to demining, I still love music. Sometimes I dream of being a pop star. I would like to start my own band and play the keyboards.

Although I had some problems with my real parents I would really like to find them because I have not seen them or my sister for 20 years. I can’t remember their names as I was so young but I do remember they lived in Banteay Sup village in Kampong Cham.

Din Socheat's artwork

2009-10-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

Below is Din Socheat's story and a photo of his artwork.

My name is Din Socheat. I am 16 years old, and I had my accident when I was 15.

One day I was looking after my family’s cows in the fields near where we lived in Beang Ampil district. I saw something that looked like a toy so I reached down to pick it up and play with it. For a couple of hours I took it apart and put it back together, then took it apart again.

Suddenly the toy exploded in my hands. The explosion was so scary, I lost consciousness. When I woke up I managed to get up and walk the 30 meters back to my house. When my mother saw me, she cried and cried. She hadn’t thought anything of the sound of the explosion as mines quite often exploded in our area.

I kept thinking I must keep strong as I was losing a lot of blood. My mother went to find people that could help and I was carried on a stretcher to a hospital seven kilometers away. I fainted on the way and woke up in the hospital where they treated me for free in an emergency ward.

The bone was broken above my elbow and I had lost my left arm, three fingers and half of my thumb on my right hand. I felt hopeless and wanted to die. I was in the hospital for one and a half months and had 21 operations. When I got home I was given some help by an organization, including money to help my family.

While I was in the hospital they contacted the Cambodian Landmine Museum (CLMM) and one of the teachers from the CLMM came to see me and ask me if I wanted to live at the CLMM. When I left the hospital I was at home for a month and then in 2008 I moved to CLMM near Banteay Srei.

I have now lived at the CLMM for almost a year and have been going to school. I have decided I want to be a teacher of various subjects and also teach children about the danger of landmines. I want to give as much of my knowledge and experience to younger children so they can learn and have better opportunities when they grow older.

Cheat is the youngest of four siblings. His two older brothers live in Thailand working as laborers, and his sister is married and lives in the village where Cheat had the accident.

Chhin Boreak's artwork

2009-10-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

Below is Chhin Boreak's story and a photograph of his artwork.

There are fourteen people in my family, including five brothers, seven sisters and my mother and father. I am the fourth oldest. We live in Samraong village in Otdar Meanchey. My parents are farmers and grow rice and vegetables.

My village was surrounded by landmines. My parents used to tell me not to go far from the house but I didn’t believe them because I didn’t understand how dangerous the mines were. My family was very poor, and sometimes we would only have enough food to eat breakfast. We were hungry a lot of the time.

I would sometimes go walking in the countryside looking for fruit. One day, I walked towards a big tree and saw this thing that looked like a pineapple. I almost picked it up as I didn’t know what it was but my mother was calling me in a very strong voice telling me to come home. I didn’t listen to my mother because I wanted to see what this thing was.

I started to play with the thing. My mother could see so she went to try and find someone else in the village to try and stop me. I tried to open the mine and without knowing what I was doing started flicking the detonator with my right finger. When the mine exploded I was thrown backwards about five meters. My right arm had been blown off and fragments of the mine had hit my left leg.

My mother was in a state of shock as I walked back to the house, but she quickly got her strength back and shouted for help. She ran to get me, not thinking about herself as she entered the same minefield.

Other people arrived quickly and two old men carried me for two hours to an army hospital. Halfway there I fainted. I was moved to a provincial emergency ward where I had 16 operations over three months.

After my accident I lived at home for five years helping my family grow morning glory and cutting grass for the cows. During that fifth year, CMAC came to clear the village of mines.
One day I went to talk to a deminer I had been watching, and told him I had had my accident there. He told me about his brother Aki Ra and the Cambodian Landmine Museum, and said it would be a good place for me to go and live because I would be looked after and get an education. My parents’ village is now free of mines but we lost many people and many cows before it was cleared.

At that time I could only say “Hello, hello!,” but now I can speak English well and I am in grade seven at school. I love to play football and am good at singing. Actually, I have found I am good at many things and am grateful for these opportunities to learn. My family says I am very lucky. It is my ambition to become a tour guide so I can teach tourists about my country’s history. I especially love the carvings on the temples and the stories they tell.

Chhon Dina's artwork

2009-10-04T05:37:00.001-07:00

Here is Chhon Dina's artwork.

This shattered life is also your problem

Approximately 90 (H) x 15 (W) x 15 (L) cm

Land mines destroy more than flesh and bone; they destroy the human heart and spirit. This sculpture portrays the tragic results of the colossal disrespect of both human life and the land itself. However, both sculptures also reveal that the land will eventually prevail over human destructiveness. Both are made of clay dug from Cambodian soil. Even though mines have been placed in this land, we can use it to make many beautiful things, just as land that has been cleared of mines can be used safely for farming.

And here are detailed photos of each element:

My land is cleared, my hope restored
Approximately 40 cm (L) x 30 (H) x 20 (W) cm

The buffalo and its owner represent restored normal life in the countryside: signs of hope. Countryside life is very hard work, but the buffalo is strong, patient and committed. He is connected to the land together with his owner and will help bring forth something good from the soil. I hope that this will encourage people in countries affected by mines to recover from the despair brought on by these weapons.

Ouk Chim Vichet's artwork

2009-10-04T05:30:00.001-07:00

Here is Ouk Chim Vichet's artwork.

Blow to Grow
140 x 140 cm

The goal of this painting is to show the detonation of the mines collected from the land, “They can destroy mines but landmines cannot destroy them.” After the operators have cleared the land, people can start using it for farming.

The center of the painting signifies the detonation of the land mines which is the result of hours of work. Destroying the land mines brings enjoyment and pride to everyone.

The red and blue part of the painting represents the mines that will be destroyed. These mines have fooled some people with their glittering colors and valuable metal shells. Some people forget the dangers and try to tamper with the landmines. It is important that if anyone finds a landmine, they report it to the mine action operators.

The dark yellow and white colors represent the sign posts where mines have been destroyed and where the land is cleared. This land will be used to farm or plant crops. The land is in the shape of a water droplet which represents the priceless necessity of rain water. However, if there are mines on the land, the rain water is useless to people as they cannot collect it or use it for agricultural use.

Reminiscing Flower
Approximately 70 (W) x 70 (L) x 140 (H)Detail of the flowers:

This sculpture aims to express the fruitfulness of the mine clearing work by the operators who unrelentingly risk their lives to remove landmines. They have to work under the burning heat of the sun. It is their loyal duty to serve the nation and to free the land for the people to use. It is also with a sense of pride that Cambodians not only clear landmines in Cambodia but also in Sudan, Africa. They have to leave their homes and family to help people no matter what race they are. They need to ensure that people live without fear from landmines. Landmines are the enemies for the human race.

Chhim Sothy's artwork

2009-10-04T05:23:00.001-07:00

Here is Chhim Sothy's artwork.

New Light

152 (L) x 100 (H) cm

Through my art work, my vision is to show the pain of the people in the area along the border with Thailand and the happiness that comes from demining. The central Buddhist figure represents the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority, which coordinates all mine action activities in Cambodia to clear mine-contaminated areas. With the tireless efforts of the demining agencies, Cambodia’s land is being cleared from mines and people can feel safe once again. This makes the demining agencies unforgettable to the people.

To the left of the painting, the central figure is symbolically pushing away mines and explosive remnants of war which present danger to the people, and to the right it is embracing the happiness and development that come to the people when they have safe land.

Promised Land

76 (L)x 100 (H) cm

The long-lasting wars in Cambodia caused by internal conflicts have cost the lives of countless human and animals and also left behind a big burden for individual families and the nation as a whole. Landmines are the invisible killer that hinder development in mined areas.

This painting represents our appreciation to all the local and international mine clearance organizations that work together to remove landmines from the land. It is a celebration of their achievements. Some people living in former military bases risk their limbs and lives everyday. The people’s worry is the Government’s worry. Now, with humanitarian development, people living in previously mined areas can see the light and have hope for their future.

Ben Thynal's artwork

2009-10-04T05:17:00.000-07:00

Here is Ben Thynal's artwork.

It's a Killer

110 x 110 cm

Landmines destroy everything from animals to humans when they step on or touch them. They injure or disable people and are sometimes fatal. In this painting, I want to urge everyone in the world, regardless of their race, to come together and abolish the use of landmines. Landmines impoverish both individual families and wider communities.

Sounds of Peace

110 x 110 cm

It is the sound of the destruction of landmines which also brings hope to the people living in mined areas. For every landmine destroyed, one or more lives are saved. The sound of landmines being destroyed also means the land becomes usable for the local community. When I first heard the sound of a landmine being detonated, it scared me, but after the sound dissipated it left a feeling of happiness and safety.

Em Riem's artwork

2009-10-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here is Em Riem 's artwork.

Ms KOE MAR and her daughter (mannequin and lunch box)

143 (H) x 43 (L) x 20 (W) cm
Untitled (Painting on burlap) 142 (L) x 142 (H) cm

My work consists of three different elements: one canvas, one mannequin and one little lunchbox. Each represents a constitutive aspect of the story told by this installation. A woman, mother of a girl today, was injured by a mine several years ago, before her marriage. The materials used are very simple. Thus, burlap painted with black acrylic represents the Cambodian earth, which contains, in its secret, a deadly danger: the mine. The red mannequin, who has one arm cut, is the victim. Red is the color of blood, but also for Asians it symbolizes prosperity and happiness. Finally, the bowl of iron, which is the most modest object you could imagine, symbolizes the child near her mother and the daily struggle to continue to live. It is also about hope, humbleness and strength.

This installation is telling a simple account of a horrible tragedy. But the people of Cambodia remain proud and dignified and have confidence in the future.

Since this mannequin red, it indicates that it is proudly standing.

Chhea Bunna's artwork

2009-10-04T02:51:00.000-07:00

Here is Chhea Bunna's artwork.

Unvalued Drop of Water

Approx 120 (H) x 80 (W) x 80 (L) cm

Water is the most important liquid for living beings, but if we have land that is contaminated by landmines and cannot be used for farming, then water becomes useless in those areas. Landmines also make it impossible to access water sometimes. Water is then unvalued. The purpose of this sculpture is to show people that some areas have not yet been cleared of landmines.

Although I am an artist, I ask myself if I can feel the same as ordinary people living in mine-affected areas. This work also represents the tears of the villagers in contaminated areas. What I can do is recognize and support these people by spreading the message through this artwork.

Result

160 (H) x 48 (W) x 35 (L) cm

Detail of the rice husk, which consists of information about Cambodian mine action:

This sculpture shows the positive outcome for people when their land has been cleared of landmines. The happiness and enjoyment of safe land was not obtained by accident – it has been achieved through careful planning by mine action agencies and by reaching goals that they have set. By using the image of a rice husk, I wanted to show the happiness of the people through the imagination of an artist because now they can happily cultivate the land and grow rice.

Before this project started I had very limited knowledge about landmines, however, I am really glad to have learned more about mine action issues and now I understand how devastating it is for the people. It disables people, affects their livelihood and makes them feel excluded from other people. Eighty percent of Cambodians are farmers and landmines greatly affect agricultural production so it is really important for the mine action operators to be able to complete their tasks of clearing the land.

Srey Bandol's artwork

2009-10-04T02:44:00.000-07:00

Here is Srey Bandol's artwork.

Sadness (APHORP)

120 (H) x 60 (L) cm

This painting is about the sadness and despair that the Cambodian people have felt after years of conflict. The broken frame at the top of the painting represents the start of the war which allowed mines to be brought into Cambodia and planted in conflict zones. The central image of the cow represents Cambodia and its people who have worried about war and the mines that littered the countryside. At the bottom are images of mines, BAN LAR LOUS means danger from mines. However, although there is danger, now, due to mine action programmes there is HOPE.

Success (CHHAI YOU)
120 (H) x 60 (L) cm

The focus of this painting is the figure in the middle which represents all the organizations and people that have made mine clearance and additional programmes such a success in the Kingdom of Cambodia. Although the programmes have been successful, the outstretched arms also call for future funding to assist the completion of the mine action programmes. The frame still has some mines but although there are some still many in the country it represents all the mines that have been cleared and destroyed to make our country safer. The paper that is included in the painting are notes I wrote down while we were on our field trips in mine affected areas.

Ou Vanndy's artwork

2009-10-04T02:22:00.000-07:00

Here is Ou Vanndy's artwork.

Bravery

Approximately 100 (H) x 30 (W) x 70 (L)

This sculpture represents the courage of the Cambodians who tirelessly work as deminers, removing landmines and UXOs from the land, making it safe for the people. In tough conditions they work in the burning heat of the day and have cleared thousands of hectares of land so the people can now use it productively.

I still remember words from one soldier who said that he would sacrifice his own life to save the lives of four or five people that could potentially be killed by a landmine. This illustrates the deminers’ unerring courage and bravery.

Progress

160 (H) x 48 (W) x 35 (L) cm

This sculpture illustrates the positive result after land has been cleared of mines. Hope and development replace fear and tragedy which used to haunt the people. Agricultural and agro-industrial crops blossom with good yields that improve the status of the people’s economy. Infrastructure such as schools, roads and hospitals make the living condition of the people better.

The rice grain represents agriculture. The stem shows development and the yellow color represents the area cleared from mines. The five leaves illustrate the current development from small to giant steps. More importantly, this sculpture is a message that land without mines will enable growth and development. No mine clearance, no development is possible. Cambodia needs a prolonged mine clearance programme so we can complete the task and achieve our economic potential.

Suos Sodavy's artwork

2009-10-04T02:02:00.000-07:00

Here is Suos Sodavy's artwork.

The life and mines

110 (L) x 90 (H) cm

This mixed media painting is about life and landmines. It shows that with hunger, people do not think about the dangers. In the picture I have included the image from a mine detonation with smoke in the sky; also the mine sign and the red line warning people not to enter the mined areas. I have also incorporated the shadow of disabled people whose injuries were caused by landmines and people who live in contaminated areas.

After Demining

110 (L) x 90 (H) cm

This collage shows improving family conditions after demining has taken place. I took photographs of various business signs along the streets in Battambang which signify the increased economy, a positive situation for people post mine clearance.

We want to live without mines, and you?

110 (L) x 90 (H) cm

We all hate wars because they leave behind tragedy, there is never any gain. This collage includes a collection of hundreds of photographs depicting the active lives of students and children in both the countryside and the city. I have arranged these photographs according to the movement of light and shadow which then form my idea about this development.

Tor Vutha's artwork

2009-10-04T01:36:00.000-07:00

Here is Tor Vutha's artwork.

Fishing
140 (H) x 50 (L) cm

This painting is based on the livelihood of the rural Cambodian people, especially in mined areas. Poor families are easily affected because they need to make a living by farming in potentially contaminated areas. In this first painting I want to show the actual activities of some Cambodian people who use landmines and explosive remnants of war for fishing. Sometimes they end up getting injured or killed.

New Life
140 (H) x 50 (L) cm

This painting illustrates the progress of mine clearance by organizations such as CMAC, MAG and the HALO Trust. Also, it is about the firm hope of Cambodian people to be able to live in a new land with safety, prosperity and no mine injuries. Cambodian people can survive by building houses, farming, and raising animals to sustain their livelihood. In addition, the government and other organizations will be able to build schools, hospitals and other important institutions which will improve the livelihood of the people. Their children will be able to attend school and learn about landmines. They can then live a better life with no worries about the dangers of mines or poverty.

Children's Games
140 (H) x 50 (L) cm

Children living in mine-affected areas must continue to learn about the dangers of being injured by landmines. With a smile, they will play sports and shout out, “Stop playing with mines, play football instead.” If we ask Cambodian people or children if they know what a mine is, they will answer, “It’s dangerous, do not touch it.”

Opening #2 also a success

2009-10-04T01:14:00.001-07:00

The public opening on Thursday was huge, with about 200 people coming by throughout the evening. The crowd was a good mix of Cambodians and expats (including a bunch of kids from the school where Dina teaches).

We knew the artwork was good, but the praise given to the artists exceeded everyone's expectations.

The event managers said it was one of the biggest openings they'd ever had. Hopefully the momentum will continue. If you live in Phnom Penh and haven't visited, what are you waiting for?

Opening #1 a success

2009-10-04T00:06:00.001-07:00

In addition to the public opening on 1 October, a private opening reception was held on 30 September. Australian Ambassador HE Margaret Adamson, UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Douglas Broderick, and Minister attached to the Prime Minister HE Prak Sokhonn all provided remarks, and the 15-minute film we made about Cambodian mine action had its global premiere.

The turnout was great, with more than 100 representatives from the mine action and arts sectors, as well as several ambassadors and senior-level government officials, and, of course, the artists. The four young landmine survivors also came down from Siem Reap for the event (the first visit to Phnom Penh for some of them).

The guys from Siem Reap stand ready to present their artwork:

Dina discusses her sculpture with some guests:

A general shot of the evening:

IMPACT's going to Colombia

2009-10-03T23:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks to support from the Australian Government, IMPACT will head to Cartagena, Colombia, for the Second Review Conference on the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty at the end of this year.

More than 1,000 people from around the world will attend this conference. Perhaps they'll be inspired to bring the exhibit to their country (and maybe even create their own exhibit...).

Come to the Phnom Penh opening on Thursday 1 October

2009-09-28T18:13:00.000-07:00

It's official, we're opening on Thursday 1 October from 6 pm to 8 pm at Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center in Phnom Penh. It's free and open to the public, so tell all of your friends.

If you can't make it to the opening, the exhibit will be open from 1 October to 10 October from 8 am to 6 pm (closed Sundays).

Bophana is on Street 200 between Monivong and Street 63. You can see a map here.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Chhea Bunna, Artist

2009-09-21T05:00:00.001-07:00

Chhea Bunna was born in 1983 in Phnom Penh. He studied Modern Sculpture at the Royal University of Fine Arts and graduated in 2006. In 2007 he completed a teaching degree in Plastic Arts and History of Art from the National Institute of Education. Bunna currently teaches drawing at the Hun Sen Takmao high school.

From 2003-2005 Bunna was a participant in the Peace Art Project Cambodia, a project turning decommissioned small arms (predominantly AK-47s) into sculptures as expressions of peace. He is currently part of the ‘Krousar Selapak’ art workshop in Phnom Penh and has shown work in two group exhibitions in 2009, ‘Intercity’ at Meta House in Phnom Penh and ‘Present Tense’ at Hotel de la Paix in Siem Reap. His art work is in numerous private collections around the globe.

Ouk Chim Vichet, Artist

2009-09-21T04:56:00.000-07:00

Ouk Chim Vichet completed his Degree in Sculpture in 2006 from the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA) and is now teaching in the department of Sculpture and Urbanization at RUFA. When he was still a student, he joined a group working on the Peace Art Project Cambodia. The group learned how to weld, forge and fabricate metal sculptures and then used their skills to create art work out of decommissioned weapons. It was the first time it had been done in Cambodia and was a very successful project.

He and his team members learned a lot about different art work and are very proud of the sculptures and monuments which have helped contribute to Cambodian society. These art works include the Dove of Peace in Sanderson Park near Wat Phnom, the World of Peace in Kompong Thom, and the Naga for Peace and Development in the park along the Steung Sen River in Battambang province. At the moment they are working on a new project learning about contemporary stone carving.

Ou Vanndy, Artist

2009-09-21T04:55:00.000-07:00

Born in 1977 in Kandal province, Ou Vanndy always showed signs of being a gifted artist. He studied Modern Sculpture at the Royal University of Fine Arts and graduated in 2005. He went on to pursue a higher degree in vocational training at the National Institute of Education, where he is now a professor.

Vanndy was one of the 23 students who participated in the Peace Art Project Cambodia from 2003 to 2005. This was the first opportunity he had had to learn how to work with metal, welding and forging twisted AK-47s into beautiful sculptures as expressions of peace. It was a testament from the youth of Cambodia. In 2007, he was part of another project working with small arms. It was Vanndy’s design of a Naga that was chosen by the Governor of Battambang to be created and placed in Battambang town. He worked with three other artists over seven months to make this powerful, six-meter high monument made out of approximately 2000 small arms. He is currently learning about contemporary stone carving with the Krousar Selapak art group, of which he is a member.

Em Riem, Artist

2009-09-21T04:53:00.000-07:00

Em Riem was born in 1977 in a village in Cambodia. He obtained his National Diploma at the Royal School of Fine Arts before moving to France for seven years, where he studied first in the School of Fine Arts in Saint Etienne and then at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, better known as “Arts Decos”. He won the Certificate of Specialized Studies (Post-Diploma) in design.

Riem returned to Cambodia in 2007 and opened the X-EM design gallery in Phnom Penh, which exhibits Riem’s own works and also those of young Khmer and foreign designers and contemporary artists. His work as a designer and painter has quickly become respected, and he has participated in international art events in France, the United States and Italy. His art works are now in collections around the world.

Deeply attached to the Khmer culture, Riem respects its formal artistic qualities but is also open to other worldly influences; he is essentially eclectic, without prejudice or conformity. His creative freedom is open to the field of abstraction, expressionism and even the lyrical, as in his most accurate figurative representations. His paintings and sculptures are usually large-format and often incorporate unusual materials. Riem demonstrates a sound mastery and audacity even when based on the topic of Cambodia’s tragedy during the time of the Khmer Rouge period.

Chhon Dina, Artist

2009-09-21T04:48:00.000-07:00

Chhon Dina was born in 1984 in Phnom Penh, but at the age of ten her family moved to Poipet to join her father, who was a policeman there. It was a rather dull place with little to do. She did not attend school and had very few friends. Poipet was heavily contaminated with landmines. She clearly remembers being very frightened by seeing a woman go to a place which people said was dangerous and hearing an explosion a short while later.

She eventually returned to Phnom Penh, where she first saw drawings made by a cousin and was very impressed. She and some friends began to make small sculptures from clay they took from the boeung (swampy lake), and a man teaching children at a local orphanage provided her with her first opportunity to use colors. He became her art teacher for several years.

In 2004, she had her first group exhibition in Phnom Penh, and she has also exhibited in Siem Reap and Paris. She has several years’ experience teaching art to children in orphanages, and has painted murals in most of them. She loves the arts, especially sculpture, and enjoys playing guitar in her free time.

we are going to get the (FFE) mines!

2009-08-19T04:12:00.000-07:00

Slowly but surely, it’s all coming together.

After an appropriately long and complicated (and by the book!) process, we received approval and documentation from the National Police to transport the free-from-explosive landmines and ERW donated by the Cambodia Landmine Museum in Siem Reap to the Development Technology Workshop in Phnom Penh, where Vanndy, Vichet, and Bunna will transform them from ERW to art.

Since time is of the essence, we are going for the quickest option: I hop a plane to Siem Reap this evening, pick up the items tomorrow morning, and drive back to Phnom Penh (great sales on Bangkok Air flights right now). It’s also a chance for me to return the leftover items from the demining equipment the HALO Trust kindly donated to the artists (looking forward to seeing exactly what Vichet’s going to do with all of those secateurs and machetes he took).

It also just happens to be the week three young survivors and a young deminer from the Cambodian Self-Help Demining group are working on a piece for the exhibit under the guidance of Sasha and a young artist named Savann. Although these kids are not (professional) artists, all participated in art workshops at the Cambodian Landmine Museum in the past and have demonstrated quite a bit of talent. All four will work together on one big piece.

Sasha sent me a few pictures this morning, and it looks like things are going well.

Boreak painting:

Tol and Chet painting:

Chiet painting:

I won’t describe what the plan is just yet, but take my word that the artwork will be totally awesome, if you can picture that.

It’s also a chance to discuss remaining logistics with Sasha before I go on holiday. The initial opening isn’t until 30 September, but there’s so much to take care of now in order for everything to go off without a hitch (or with minimal hitches). Hopefully we can sort it out in an hour or so...

Now all we need is for this idle blogger to update readers on all of the great experiences we’ve been having over the past few months.

Impact it is

2009-08-19T04:10:00.000-07:00

Since we first met with the artists, we’ve been discussing ideas for the name of the exhibit. We’ve created list after list of key words, including some painfully UNDPese terms (capacity development may be a good thing but it just doesn’t roll off the tongue). No matter what other ideas people had, we always came back to the essence of what mine action is about: Impact.

Whether it’s clearing mines and ERW, educating people about their risks, or assisting survivors, the ultimate result has a major impact on the lives of ordinary people living in mine-affected areas. And this is exactly what the artworks will have: Impact. So Impact it is.

Next step: Design the posters.

Day two: Off to the minefields

2009-08-02T18:34:00.000-07:00

Early in the morning on Wednesday 17 June, we headed to Rottanak Mondul, a district with one of the highest mine/ERW casualty rates in Cambodia.

Our first stop was at minefield 8270 in Chambak village, which CMAC was demining using manual teams, mine detection dogs, and a brushcutter machine. Before we got started, the platoon leader gave the required safety briefing and site-specific information. From 1991 to 1997, the Khmer Rouge used the area as a military base, and two deaths and three injuries have been recorded on the 20 hectare field. The minefield was designated to be cleared through Cambodia’s community-oriented mine clearance prioritization process so that 36 families could safely use the land for farming.

Next, everyone donned personal protective equipment and headed over to watch a demonstration of manual demining (on cleared land). Since no one was actually going to walk on a live demining site, personal protective equipment wasn’t required, but it was good to experience firsthand how hot and uncomfortable the heavy plastic helmets and kevlar body covers are.

The manual deminers demonstrated the long, slow process of clearing brush, using a metal detector to find potential mines, and carefully unearthing the objects to see if they are mines. To give you an idea of how time-consuming the process is, 45 anti-personnel mines, seven explosive remnants of war, one anti-tank mine – and 760,000 pieces of scrap metal have been found so far. Since each item has to be treated as if it were an explosive, this process takes an incredibly long time.

After seeing how the mines are found using mine detection dogs (who sniff out the TNT in areas with low contamination) and 32-ton bruschutter machines (that cut away large amounts of jungle), we headed over to watch a controlled detonation of mines and ERW found on the minefield that morning.

Tor Vutha was asked to do the honors, which involves pushing a button with an electric charge connected to the pile of mines and ERW. First everyone exited the minefield and stood at a safe distance (per the Cambodian Mine Action Standards), then a CMAC deminer called out on a loudspeaker in all directions to tell people to move away from the minefield, and finally he shouted “Moy, Pea, Buy!” followed by a deafening BOOM!!!

Click here to see and hear the explosion.

Even from hundreds of meters away, the explosions are pretty scary. Once it was over, everyone laughed nervously and clapped. The team usually carries out these controlled detonations twice a day, once before lunch, and once before they leave for the day.

Before the 35 deminers broke for lunch, we sat down to chat with six female deminers and learn why they decided to enter this profession.

All six began working as village-based deminers, meaning they were recruited to demine in their village, and now work in manual clearance. They all said they felt completely safe because they were well trained, and that they decided to do it for their livelihoods and to help their communities.

An artist asked the women how they felt about giving up wearing fancy clothes and make-up to work in a dangerous and dirty minefield, and one of the women provided a beautiful response, saying that her demining efforts were contributing to good karma, which is more important than clothes and make-up.

On that note, we piled into the cars and headed off to meet with people living on cleared land.

Controlled explosion sounds on BBC's Save our Sounds

2009-07-30T00:58:00.000-07:00

If you haven't been to BBC's Save our Sounds map, you should visit the site right now, and I'm not just saying this because they uploaded sounds from our field trip. You can click on pretty much any country in the world to listen to sounds that people have added. It's addictive.

To hear what a (controlled) detonation of landmines and explosive remnants of war sounds like, go to the map and click on the sound icon in west Cambodia. This sound was recorded while the artists were visiting CMAC's demining activities in Battambang.

Here's what's happening:

After everyone has exited the field and is standing at a safe distance (500 meters per the Cambodian Mine Action Standards), a CMAC deminer calls out on a loudspeaker in all directions to tell anyone who may still be out there to clear the field. Next, he sound an alarm, shouts “Moy, Pea, Buy!” [1, 2, 3 in Khmer], and finally there is a deafening BOOM!!!

The destroyed items were found and removed from the 20 hectare minefield being cleared. Once all of the land is cleared, 36 families will be able to safely use it for farming purposes.

You can also submit sounds you've recorded.

Go now!

Propellerheads' Will White is mixing the soundscape

2009-07-30T00:55:00.000-07:00

We've decided to add to the exhibit by doing a soundscape, which is basically a collection of sounds recorded from the artist field visits that will complement the visual art.

Sasha borrowed some fancy sound equipment to record our field trips (everything from landmine explosions to children laughing with some oinking pigs and mooing cows thrown in), and Will White, a dj based in the UK (and longtime friend of Sasha's), has kindly offered his skills to turn the recordings into a soundscape that will play throughout the exhibit.

This is sure to be a great piece of work as Will is one half of the Propellerheads (best known for their big hit on the James Bond Tomorrow Never Dies soundtrack), and he knows what he's doing.

Hope to be able to upload the soundscape this once the exhibit opens. In the meantime, you'll have to use your imagination.

Srey Bandol opening on 7 August

2009-07-28T03:59:00.000-07:00

One of the artists, Srey Bandol, will have an opening next Friday 7 August at Java Cafe in Phnom Penh. The exhibit is called the Storm and will include paintings, drawings, and collages on metal.

The fun starts at 7 pm. Hope to see you there.

Mark your calendars: 1 October opening in Phnom Penh

2009-07-27T18:31:00.000-07:00

It's official! We're going to host the Phnom Penh opening of the exhibit on 1 October at Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center.

Bophana is the perfect place to host it because tons of people -- both Cambodians and foreigners -- pass through every day. If you're based in Phnom Penh, you should check out the space now as there is always something interesting going on.

a landmine riddle

2009-07-22T09:27:00.001-07:00

What do soccer...

rice wine...

and pigs...

...have to do with landmines in Cambodia?

Come back soon to find out more.

Casualty rates in Cambodia: Tuesday 16 June

2009-07-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

After our brief internal meeting, representatives from the Cambodia Mine/ERW Victim Information System (CMVIS), which collects and analyzes information about landmine and ERW casualties and provides emergency survivor assistance services, came to give the artists a brief about mine/ERW casualty statistics.

The CMVIS project manager and two data gatherers presented casualty statistics and explained how they collect information by going to accident locations and interviewing victims and their families. Data gatherers work in each of Cambodia's provinces, and the statistics are distributed widely to be used for numerous purposes, including the mine clearance planning process.

Before the figures were presented, the artists guessed how many casualties (which includes both injuries and death) Cambodia had in 2008. Estimates ranged from 10 to 10,000. No one came close to the actual number.

When mine clearance operations began in the early nineties, there were more than 2,000 casualties every year. In 2008, this figure was 266, and so far, statistics indicate that there will be a further drop in 2009. While 266 casualties is still an unacceptably high number, it is significantly lower than previous years. Studies suggest that the main reason for the drop is better targeting of mine clearance and mine risk education (MRE) activities. As the systems continue to be refined, casualty rates should drop even further – as long as the funding is in place to support these activities.

Since 1994, CMVIS has been run by the Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) in partnership with Handicap International Belgium (HIB), but this year HIB is handing its duties over to the CRC to run CMVIS independently.

When we get to the minefields tomorrow, the artists will see firsthand how people are directly benefitting from clearance activities.

The artist field visits begin: Tuesday 16 June

2009-07-16T23:57:00.000-07:00

The first group of artists headed to Battambang on Tuesday 16 June. Battambang is known for its fertile soil, fragrant rice, and tasty fruit -- and for being the province most affected by landmines and ERW.

Chhim Sothy, Suos Sodavy, Meas Raksmey (the interpreter), and I met early in the morning to make the four-hour drive from Phnom Penh to Battambang, where we met Tor Vutha and Srey Bandol, who live there. Sasha Constable and Ben Thyna l joined us from Siem Reap.

Tor Vutha and Srey Bandol kindly allowed us to use a meeting space at their workplace, Phare Ponleu Selpak, which is an academic and art school with around 2,000 students. Phare Ponleu Selpak "originated in 1986 in Site 2 Refugee Camp on the Thai border. The idea of a creative association, which would use art and expression to help young refugees overcome the trauma of war, emerged from drawing workshops held for children in the camps. This original idea continued after the refugees returned to their homeland, and PPS was formally founded in 1994 by a group of former Site 2 children."

We had our meeting in a breezy traditional wood building decorated with students’ artwork, and our discussions were accompanied by music from a band practicing for the circus school.

After introductions and a review of the purpose of the project, each of the artists shared a bit about their past experience with landmines and ERW. There were many moving accounts about friends or family who had suffered.

For example, Srey Bando l explained how he had to walk through fields of casualties in the 1980s, but he then affectionately recalled an uncle who liked to tease him with the prosthetic leg he had to use after a landmine accident.

Several of the artists also fondly spoke of playing with bombies and other ERW when they were young – they were aware of the danger but couldn't resist picking them up because of their toy-like appearance.

Chhim Sothy, who grew corn and tended fields in a warzone, told everyone about a newlywed couple he knew. Soon after they married, the husband went off to battle and lost his leg in a landmine accident, which meant his pregnant wife had to shoulder the extra burden of supporting the family.

Hopefully, after the field visits, the artists will have new stories to tell about the progress being that's being made in addressing the mine and ERW problem in Cambodia.

Field trips

2009-07-16T23:29:00.000-07:00

The 10 artists were divided into two groups for the field visits with organizations conducting mine clearance, mine risk education, and survivor assistance activities in northwest Cambodia.

The first week, we'll visit the operations of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), the Cambodia Mine/ERW Victim Information System (CMVIS) run by the the Cambodian Red Cross, Spirit of Soccer, Handicap International France, and Jesuit Service Cambodia in Battambang, which is the most mine-affected province in Cambodia.

The second group of artists will go to Banteay Meanchey, another heavily-affected province in the northwest, to visit the activities of CMAC, CMVIS, ActionAid Australia, and the Solidarity for Disabled People Organization.

The site visits were selected based on the location and availability of the organizations to host the artists. There were many other great activities we would have visited if we'd had endless time.

All 10 artists will then meet in Phnom Penh to visit the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), which is the regulatory body for Cambodian mine action. They will also hear from representatives of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces who have shared their demining expertise as peacekeepers in Sudan through the United Nations Missions in Sudan.

Tor Vutha, Artist

2009-07-16T01:08:00.000-07:00

As a child growing up in the refugee camps on the Thai border in the 1980s, Tor Vutha, 34, fought boredom by learning to paint. From there, he became involved in artistic productions and has decorated circus shows in France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Algeria, and Reunion Island, and has painted churches and pagodas in Thailand. Tor Vutha is now an art teacher at the Phare Ponleu Selpak art school in Battambang.

Suos Sodavy, Artist

2009-07-16T01:02:00.000-07:00

Suos Sodavy, 53, is originally from Phnom Penh but lived in Budapest, Hungary, for 10 years, where he earned degrees from the Ecole Normale Superieure de l’Education and the Academy of Fine Arts. He mostly paints with oils, and has exhibited extensively in Southeast Asia as well as in Hungary. Suos Sodavy currently works at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts in Phnom Penh.

Chhim Sothy, Artist

2009-07-16T00:52:00.001-07:00

Chhim Sothy, 40, is an internationally-renowned artist who has exhibited throughout Southeast Asia and Europe. In 2000, he was chosen by ASEAN to represent Cambodia. Chhim Sothy is primarily a painter but also has extensive experience with furniture design and landscaping. His style combines traditional and contemporary elements. He is from Phnom Penh and works at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.

Srey Bandol, Artist

2009-07-16T00:39:00.000-07:00

Srey Bandol, 36, learned to paint while growing up in the refugee camps on the border with Thailand. He vividly remembers carrying landmines and keeping them in his house as a child. He later worked as a military nurse along the Thai-Cambodian border, caring for victim of landmines and ERW. Today, he lives in Battambang province and teaches art at Phare Art School. He is an incredible drawer.

Ben Thynal, Artist

2009-07-16T00:37:00.000-07:00

Ben Thynal, the youngest in the group, is a 23-year-old artist from Battambang’s Rottanak Mondol district, which has the highest landmine/ERW casualty rate in Cambodia. After studying drawing and painting at the Phare Ponleu Selapak Art School in Battambang, he studied at Build Bright University in Phnom Penh. He mostly paints but also has experience with shadow puppets and sculpture. He now lives and works as an artist in Siem Reap.

catching up

2009-06-14T01:40:00.000-07:00

This flurry of postings is intended to give readers an idea of what this project is about, but there is much more to come between now and December.

Next week, five of the artists will visit one of Cambodia's most mine-affected provinces, Battambang, to witness first-hand how Cambodia is addressing the landmine problem.

The following week, five more artists will head to another one of Cambodia's most mine-affected provinces, Banteay Meanchey, to visit a wide range of mine action activities, including clearance, survivor assistance, and mine risk education, among others. A film crew will follow us to document the process.

We plan to work with young landmine survivors to give them the opportunity to create art as well.

We'll regularly post information about the artists, field visits, and other other exciting news (along with pictures) over the next few months, so come back often to see what we're up to.

Also, this is meant to be an inclusive project, so if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, or are interested in becoming involved in the project, please feel free to drop a line.

Step Two: Select Artists

2009-06-14T01:22:00.000-07:00

In order to keep the project manageable, we decided to work with a maximum of 10 artists -- but when 40 people attended the informational meeting to learn more about the project, we knew it would be a challenge to narrow it down to just 10.

Applicants were asked to submit a CV, portfolio, and statement about why they were interested in participating in the project (in English, French, or Khmer).

We invited long-time supporters of Cambodian mine action to serve on the artist selection panel. The panel consisted of representatives from the United Nations Development Programme, the Australian Agency for International Development, the Canadian International Development Agency/Agence canadienne du developpement international, and the Cambodian Campaign to Ban Landmines (a member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines), plus the art coordinator.

After several hours of deliberation, the panel finalized a list of 10 artists from Phnom Penh as well as mine-affected provinces, ranging in age from 23 to 53 years old. As the project progresses, we'll post their profiles so you can learn more about them.

Step One: Hire an art coordinator

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To ensure that the artists have the support and resources they need, we engaged someone with extensive experience working with artists in Cambodia, Ms. Sasha Constable, to advise the artists throughout the creative process.

Sasha is no stranger to the concept of merging deadly weapons and art. In 2003, she co-founded the Peace Art Project, which turned weapons into art as an expression of peace.

With the combination of talented Cambodian artists, an experienced art coordinator, and inspirational successes in Cambodian mine action, we are confident that the artworks in this project will be meaningful to audiences both within Cambodia and abroad.

So what do we plan to do?

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Now that you have a little background about why this is being organized, here's some more information about exactly what the purpose is for putting this together and what it is we plan to do (in convenient bullet-point format):

Why?
• To celebrate the achievements – and acknowledge the work to be done – in Cambodian mine action in new and innovative ways
• To mark the ten-year anniversary of Cambodia’s ratification of the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Treaty (commonly known as the Ottawa Convention)
• To profile mine action as a cross-cutting issue contributing to poverty eradication in Cambodia
• To give contemporary Cambodian artists an international profile

What will we do?
• Engage up to 10 Cambodian artists, take them to observe mine action activities in the provinces, and have them create approximately 20 high-quality artworks
• Work with young landmine survivors to create artworks
• Display the pieces in an exhibition that opens in Cambodia, with reproductions traveling in the provinces, and selected pieces ending up at the Second Review Conference of the Mine Ban Treaty in Colombia in December 2009
• Have the exhibit travel to partner countries
• Donate the artworks to the Cambodian government and partners around the world to display in their Embassies or other official buildings

What is the Art Exhibit about Landmines in Cambodia?

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Although Cambodia remains one of the countries most affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), significant progress has been made in addressing the problem since mine clearance activities began more than 15 years ago. Casualty rates are dropping, the government has integrated mine action into its poverty eradication strategy, and national mine clearance standards were created to make clearance operations safer and more effective. However, landmines and ERW continue to severely affect Cambodia’s development by denying Cambodians access to land that can be used for basic activities like growing food, building houses and schools, and constructing roads.

To celebrate the achievements in Cambodian mine action and to acknowledge the challenges that remain, the Cambodian Mine Action Art Project will engage Cambodian artists from a variety of backgrounds to present these concepts in new and innovative ways. By meeting with people living on mined and cleared land, survivors, deminers, and others working in the mine action sector, the artists will develop a deeper understanding of the situation, and then present their interpretation of the issues through sophisticated artwork.

This year presents a great opportunity to bring the Cambodian mine action community together to reflect on these issues because it marks the ten-year anniversary of the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Treaty (commonly known as the Ottawa Convention). The exhibit will open in Cambodia this October, then travel within Cambodia before ending up at the Second Review Conference of the Mine Ban Treaty that will take place this December in Colombia, giving people around the world the opportunity to see the issue through the eyes of Cambodians.