Time
6. Building Cambodia: 'New Khmer Architecture' 1953-1970
By: Helen Grant Ross and Darryl Leon Collins
Everyone has heard of Angkor Wat, but very few are aware of that other great flowering of Khmer architectural genius—namely, the New Khmer Architecture that emerged in Phnom Penh amid the heady national pride that followed Cambodia's independence from France in 1953. Building Cambodia documents the tragically short-lived style that resulted in a spate of striking buildings until its demise amid civil war and genocide not two decades later. Taking seven years of research to complete, and packed with rare photographs and illustrations, the 334-page hardback pays tribute to this remarkable cultural interlude when King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated the throne to personally oversee a 17-year construction boom.
Implausible as it may seem amid today's frenetic construction of soulless apartment blocks and shopping centers, Phnom Penh was dubbed the "belle of Southeast Asia" in the 1960s, its buildings blending Le Corbusier-style functionalism with Cambodian artistic traditions. No other country in the region could then claim architectural standards as high as those practiced in the Cambodian capital.
Times have certainly changed, and what remains of New Khmer Architecture is under threat. Its founding father, Vann Molyvann, is now 80 years old and one has to wonder if his buildings will last as long. While the great architect's views on the current development of Phnom Penh are still respectfully listened to, they are seldom acted upon. The hope is that this beautiful book will not simply be a record of his work and that of his peers, but an inspiration to future generations of Cambodians to preserve and evolve an architectural style that has no parallel.
—By Kevin Doyle
By: Helen Grant Ross and Darryl Leon Collins
Everyone has heard of Angkor Wat, but very few are aware of that other great flowering of Khmer architectural genius—namely, the New Khmer Architecture that emerged in Phnom Penh amid the heady national pride that followed Cambodia's independence from France in 1953. Building Cambodia documents the tragically short-lived style that resulted in a spate of striking buildings until its demise amid civil war and genocide not two decades later. Taking seven years of research to complete, and packed with rare photographs and illustrations, the 334-page hardback pays tribute to this remarkable cultural interlude when King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated the throne to personally oversee a 17-year construction boom.
Implausible as it may seem amid today's frenetic construction of soulless apartment blocks and shopping centers, Phnom Penh was dubbed the "belle of Southeast Asia" in the 1960s, its buildings blending Le Corbusier-style functionalism with Cambodian artistic traditions. No other country in the region could then claim architectural standards as high as those practiced in the Cambodian capital.
Times have certainly changed, and what remains of New Khmer Architecture is under threat. Its founding father, Vann Molyvann, is now 80 years old and one has to wonder if his buildings will last as long. While the great architect's views on the current development of Phnom Penh are still respectfully listened to, they are seldom acted upon. The hope is that this beautiful book will not simply be a record of his work and that of his peers, but an inspiration to future generations of Cambodians to preserve and evolve an architectural style that has no parallel.
—By Kevin Doyle
3 comments:
It's certainly amazing that other people took notice. Please don't tell me that we have none of our own people having the same spirit as precious and as intelligent as those folks above. Where is our own Ms. Or Mr.Minister of culture? Are you dead dumb or just don't care and blind?
YOUR HEAVY REAR END NEEDS TO GET MOVING!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is so wonderful feeling to know that with the right environment and support Cambodians could achieve some amazing creations. I just hope people will remember Mr. Vann MonyVann as one of Cambodia greatest achievers in the history of Camboida. It is so sad to how this Hun Sen/CPP government is treating him. Not only they respect him but treating like a no body in their administration. He is no place to contributing his know how to Cambodia's development. At the same time his beautiful buildings are being sold bits and pieces which will alter its functionalities and beauty from his original designs. It must have been tough for him seeing all of these are happening... Oh one last thing the Cambodian national Olympic Stadium were viewed as one of its kind in the world to be built using ground as a base of support of sheer size. It is unique in the world. What an achievement! He is the gold of Cambodia!
Lauk Stapathyakor,archictec,Vann Molyvann was a great Khmer Architect who had built & designed
so many building in Khmer History..
I admired him since I was a student in Fine Arts University,Phnom Penh,1965....It's
very sad to see him was badly treated ....But he deserved for it
cuz he had sold his principle to the Evils group by seeking his Greed & Power.
Cheers,
Bun H.
ex student of Fine Arts University,1965-1975.
Sacravatoons
Post a Comment