Battambang, a city renowned for its artistic achievements and architectural marvels, is playing host to an open-air contemporary art exhibition titled “Battambang Imagined: The Art of Building Tomorrow”.
This collaborative venture between Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS), the Metis Fund and France’s development agency AFD stands as an example of harnessing art to spark discussions on sustainable development.
The festival intertwines the province’s developmental aspirations, with a particular focus on AFD’s areas of involvement: water resource management, education and electricity access. With over a thousand participants and the artworks on public display until October 28 at Samdech Kralahom Sar Kheng Park, this event has attracted considerable attention.
“Art is a generator of emotions, with the unique power to create links and engage all generations in discussion,” says AFD country director Sandrine Boucher.
She says the festival’s objective lies in mobilising these emotions to envision solutions for the sustainable development of the province.
Visitors are encouraged to engage with and immerse themselves in the artworks, crafted to facilitate the creation of fresh shared perspectives.
Camille Esparsa, an AFD project officer, says this event seeks to illustrate that art serves not only as a means of expression but also as a catalyst for change within communities.
She adds that the exhibition stands as proof that creativity and innovation can also confront the challenges of sustainable development in Battambang.
“We want to inspire people to build the sustainable future of their province. Each piece on display serves as a visual narrative that encourages reflection on the challenges of key economic sectors. We hope that these artworks will generate ideas for the province,” Esparsa tells The Post.
AFD champions development and international solidarity policies and technical cooperation in both the public and private sectors.
They oversee more than 4,000 projects in 115 countries, advocating for climate, biodiversity, peace and gender equality. These initiatives align with France’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The journey commenced in January, initiated by Phare Design Lab in Battambang. In close collaboration with PPS and the School of Visual and Applied Arts (VAAS), a group of approximately 20 students came together.
Transformative art
Their mission was to conceive and create artwork that encapsulated their vision for the nation’s future. This effort culminated in seven art prototypes, which were subsequently displayed during AFD’s 30th-anniversary festivities at the French embassy in Phnom Penh.
The Metis Fund’s stated mission is to bridge the gap between development and the arts, which appears to be a seamless match for PPS.
Launched in 2021 with support from AFD, Metis partners with the development, artistic and private sectors. It funds artistic projects to enhance the impact of development policies and collaborates closely with specific local communities, showcasing its initiatives on a global scale.
“Furthermore, AFD commemorates its 30th year of operations in Cambodia in 2023, and PPS will mark its 30th anniversary in 2024. So both organisations exhibit a firm and demonstrable dedication to enhancing Cambodian communities,” explains PPS executive director Osman Khawaja.
The Battambang Imagined festival presents the creations of 27 artists, predominantly students from PPS. They had participated in workshops conducted by three prominent contemporary Cambodian artists: Vuth Lyno, Eng Daneth, and Khvay Samnang.
The student-artists were divided into five teams, working together to craft substantial three-dimensional art installations. Each of the teams constructed their artworks with the aim of illustrating how a specific SDG could be implemented in shaping the future of Battambang by 2030.
For instance, Khawaja stated that one of the artworks explores the transformative power of electricity within a village home, while another sculpture illustrates the sustainable circulation of water throughout an entire community.
The urban art festival, which unfolded on October 21, introduces five captivating art installations, each conveying the developmental aims of the province. These installations – bearing names such as “Bakprea”, “Having electricity, having transformation”, “New generation, new era” and “A drop of life” – underscore the province’s commitment to managing fisheries, electrification, education and sustainable water use. Notably, these creations incorporate natural and recycled materials, emphasising eco-conscious artistry.
The “Golden Soil” installation provides attendees with a unique interactive experience, allowing them to embark on a simulated journey through a dark forest illuminated solely by flashlights. The display of suspended roots symbolically resonates with the province’s deeply rooted commitment to sustainability.
Art in context
In harmony with these installations, a specially choreographed circus performance by PPS took the spotlight during the festival’s opening, accentuating the artistic nuances of the showcased works.
Founded in 1994, PPS in Battambang, emerging from workshops within refugee camps, stands as a non-profit arts school catering to more than 800 students. The institution extends a diverse array of cost-free arts programmes, fostering students’ development into self-sufficient professional artists.
“I have observed a notable evolution in students’ perspectives on social and community matters, significantly enhancing their artistic outlook,” says Eng Rithchandaneth, a professional artist and project mentor.
“Our discussions highlighted the importance of recognising art in the environment, enabling the creation of works that are deeply rooted in the social context,” he says.
The festival’s inauguration featured addresses from Sok Lou, the governor of Battambang province, Sandrine Boucher of AFD, and Khuon Det, a co-founder of PPS. Following the speeches, a bespoke circus performance, designed exclusively for the festival, was presented by students from the Phare Performing Arts School. The opening ceremony occurred on October 21, and the artworks will remain on display until October 28.
“The artworks on display are a result of workshops held in early 2023 and funded by AFD — and in particular Metis Arts and Development Fund — to help young people in Cambodia connect with the reality of and communicate the SDGs in unique and creative ways that are specific to the future of Battambang province,” Khawaja tells The Post.
After the tourism sector in Cambodia suffered due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he stated his delight in once again welcoming local and international visitors to Battambang and the campus of PPS.
“As the high season commences, we observe an increasing number of visitors and tourists attending our circus shows, participating in our campus tours, and exploring the city,” he says.
He says the Battambang Water Festival, taking place October 27–29, will be a substantial and prosperous event, attracting both local and international tourists to the province. He also hopes that a greater number of travellers will come to experience Cambodia’s arts and culture, which contribute to making it a truly enchanting destination.