New Art Gallery opens at Hôtel de la Paix, Siem Reap (Cambodia)
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New Art Gallery opens at Hôtel de la Paix, Siem Reap (Cambodia)
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Category: Asia Pacific - Cambodia
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2011-07-14
Thev Gallery launches with charitable HALO Trust photographic exhibition
Following the success of the Arts Lounge, an innovative exhibition space and ‘living laboratory’ for the creative future of Khmer culture, Siem Reap’s iconic Hôtel de la Paix is opening the new Thev Gallery to provide a new platform to showcase other artists’ works and to promote some of the inspirational community causes which form such a fundamental part of the hotel’s raison d’être. Named after a traditional Khmer walk-through gallery which leads to a main temple, the new Thev Gallery launches this July with an exhibition of photographs highlighting the humanitarian mine clearance work of the HALO Trust in Cambodia; and of sculpture made from decommissioned weapons, courtesy of the 2003 Peace Art Project Cambodia. A percentage of all sales proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to the HALO Trust.
Over the past decade more than 5,800 Cambodians have been injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ammunition. The HALO Trust began what is now one of its oldest and largest humanitarian demining programmes in Cambodia in 1991, and now employs over 1,100 Cambodian staff – clearing a total of 6,870 hectares of landmine contaminated land and destroying over 245,000 landmines, 145,000 large calibre ammunitions and 1.3 million small arms ammunitions to date. Despite this much remains to be done, and HALO believes that mine clearance remains a vital prerequisite for lifting rural communities out of poverty.
Led by small arms specialist Neil Wilford and British artist Sasha Constable, The Peace Art Project Cambodia ran from 2003 – 2005, bringing together 23 students from Phnom Penh’s Royal University of Fine Art to create challenging works of art to be exhibited and sold, thus raising awareness and funds to promote young, contemporary Cambodian artists and a weapons-free society.
The HALO Trust photographic exhibition at the new Thev Gallery will highlight the ongoing work of the HALO Trust, while the emotive sculptures transformed from decommissioned weapons create powerful images which send an unmistakeable message of peace. The HALO Trust photos are available for sale and donations are welcome; while a percentage of proceeds from the sales of the weapon sculptures is also being donated to the HALO Trust’s Cambodia programme.
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.
About Hôtel De La Paix, Siem Reap
Located in the heart of Siem Reap, close to the cultural and historic heart of Cambodia, Hôtel de la Paix is a luxury boutique hotel within easy reach of colourful markets and vibrant nightlife; and just a few kilometres from the breathtaking temple complexes of Angkor Wat, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Khmer culture is celebrated in every aspect of style and service at Hôtel de la Paix, from the Meric Restaurant, with its seasonally inspired local cuisine to the Arts Lounge, which pays tribute to Cambodian artists; and Spa Indochine, which offers signature traditional treatments. Each of Hôtel de la Paix’s 107 spacious, beautifully appointed en suite rooms features chic interiors and contemporary furnishings complimented by intricate wall mountings and handcrafted lamps, creating a balance between modern design and traditional detailing.
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