Stuttgart | Phnom Penh contemporary art and urban change exhibition

Phnom Penh: Rescue Archaeology. Contemporary Art and Urban Change in Cambodia is the title of an exhibition at the ifa gallery in Stuttgart till 15 September. In "Phnom Penh: Rescue Archaeology" the ifa gallery presents for the first time in Europe artists from Cambodia who engage in capturing and archiving the transforming city in their collages, photographs, sculptures, installations and performances.

Until today, the architectonic image of Phnom Penh is characterised by the designs of Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann, a student of Le Corbusier in Paris.In the wake of the rapid urbanisation and modern development, his buildings are threatened with demolition. At the same time, many of the city’s inhabitants are evicted as lakes are being infilled in order to create new building sites.

The chequered history of the country, the transformations in the cityscape of Phnom Penh as well as the implied social changes are omnipresent and impact the artists and their production.

Curator of the exhibition Erin Gleeson

IMAGE: Leang Seckon, 'The New Phnom Penh' , 2010, Mixed media on canvas, 40 x 50 cm (15 ¾ in x 19 ½ in), courtesy of Rossi & Rossi