Cutting edge Arts Lounge gallery hosts Contemporary Stone Carving Project
Guests staying at Siem Reap’s renowned Hôtel de la Paix this summer will have a unique opportunity to see the dawn of an exciting new phase in the long history of Cambodian stone sculpture, as the hotel’s innovative gallery cocktail bar, the Arts Lounge, hosts an exhibition by the Contemporary Stone Carving Project in conjunction with Phnom Penh’s Royal University of Fine Arts.
From 8 June – 8 August 2010 Hôtel de la Paix will showcase works by graduates and students from RUFA which draw on the legacy of the ancient Angkor Empire, channelling that tradition of awe-inspiring monumental stonework into a new and unprecedented contemporary era reflecting modern day Cambodia. The exhibition addresses issues facing today’s Cambodians, from freedom of speech to sexuality and the role of women in society, as well as referencing and celebrating Khmer culture and heritage.
Initiated by British artist Sasha Constable, a former artist in residence and design consultant for the World Monument Fund, the Contemporary Stone Carving Project aims to revive and carry the tradition of Cambodian stone carving into the modern era. Made possible with the support of Friends of Khmer Culture and the Royal University of Fine Arts, the exhibition will see sale proceeds split between the artists; the funding of equipment and materials for the sculpture department at RUFA; and supporting the Krousar Selapak workshop set up by Constable and graduates of RUFA in November 2008.
Located in the centre of Siem Reap, close to the cultural and historic heart of Cambodia, every aspect of style and service at Hôtel de la Paix is informed by Khmer culture, from seasonally inspired local cuisine at signature restaurant Meric, to Spa Indochine’s traditional treatments using local herbs and flowers. Committed to nurturing the burgeoning Cambodian art scene, the Arts Lounge is the cultural and social heart beat of the hotel, offering an ever-changing exhibition space dedicated to showcasing the rich heritage of Khmer culture and offering a living laboratory for its creative future.
Kuoni (tel: 01306 747 008; www.kuoni.co.uk) offers seven nights at Hôtel de la Paix from £1,561 per person, including deluxe room accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, return flights departing from London Heathrow with THAI Airways, including airport lounge access on departure from the UK; and private return hotel transfers in Siem Reap. This price is based on two sharing and is valid for travel throughout July 2010.
