Kramanation

WEAR KRAMA CAMPAIGN

Signature Cambodian Kramas and Silk Scarves

in action . . .

Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong of Association into Research into Crimes against Art (Bayon Temple, 19 Feb. 2015).  More photos...

Prince Tesso Sisowath, October 2014:  Agreable dejeuner dans la prestigieuse Casa de Los Azulejos invite par Jahel qui produit la tournee du Ballet Royal a Mexico City. Pleasant lunch in the prestigious Casa de Los Azulejos invites by Jahel who produced the tour of the Royal Ballet has Mexico City.

Click on image to listen / watch concert

Whoa! Whoa! Let's keep this PG-rated (or here, BRHSG-rated). The krama protecting the family jewels. Artist Sopheap Pich in one of his krama boxers (he has 20+ made at a time!) at his Phnom Penh studio, July 2010 (Photo: Nicolas Axelrod).  Sopheap is the first Southeast Asian to have full exhibition at the NY Metropolitan Museum of Arts.

Exhibition by Pen Robit on Street 178, July 2013

In Pen Robit’s new series of work he investigates the iconic Cambodian Krama (scarf). The Krama, traditionally used in Cambodia as an everyday cloth which protects the body, is often associated with poverty and worn by those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. It is also being re-appropriated by new generations as a fashion accessory to identify with a growing spirit of nationalism.

In the 12 paintings exhibited the Krama and its symbolic value are deconstructed from portraiture to abstraction, from presence to absence, revealing a play of meaning and signification. Expressive in colour and technique the works also invite an empathetic response to the plight of Cambodian people.

“I want to play with vision, so you look through and also see what is not there.” - Pen Robit

This is Pen’s second solo exhibition at Romeet Contemporary Art Space. This body of work has been produced over an eight month period while the artist has been residing in Phnom Penh. Last year Robit’s work was shown as part of a group exhibition of Cambodian art at the East Gallery in Canada. His work has also been exhibited at the Institute Francais and Top Art in Phnom Penh, as well as Make Maek Gallery and Sammaki in Battambang.

Photographer/author (The Lost Executioner) Nic Dunlop all wrapped up in a classic krama and in his work in the stunning Surin Islands, off the Eastern Thai coast, near Burma, just after the tsunami. Watch out for the whale-sharks!

Cambodian-American rapper/activist/filmmaker praCh Ly performing on stage (photo: Kimsua Chay, above); with actor Rev. Jack Ong (director of Haing Ngor Foundation), Jared L. Davis (co-founder of ORPHANAGE Film Production who recently won 2 Emmys for his RESIDUE, as well as praCh's agent) at Santa Monica, 2009 looking very California-serious in their kramas; and at the Smithsonian Museum, Washington, DC with his krama (video): "When I perform, I usually wrap it [krama] around my hand or put it on the mic stand or put it in my back pocket and let it hang."

Photographer John Vink on the other side of the lens donning the krama (purchased in Cambodia in 1989) in Peshawar, Pakistan circa 1990, photo taken by street photographer.

Iconic war photographer Tim Page lives in the iconic Khmer krama as UN Photographic Peace Ambassador at weapons range for UN staff in Kabul, Afghanistan (Sept. 2009; Photo: Michael Hayes), in Kabul (31 July 2009), in Panjsher (14 Aug. 2009) and at Cantina Phnom Penh (bottom, 1 July 2010)

A newspaper icon celebrates a birthday, I think his 31st (?)... A rare moment of Michael Hayes with a krama (Cantina Phnom Penh, 18 July 2010).

Photojournalist Sean Flynn (son of actor Errol Flynn) disappeared in Cambodian in April 1970, here wrapped in a krama.

Naturally ! Iconic war photographer Roland Neveu, Bangkok 2010

Cambodian Living Arts executive director Phloeun Prim shows how it's done (Le Royal Canadian Embassy reception, 30 June 2010)

Singer / songwriter Laura Tevary Mam, 2014

How many kramas do you own ?!

The Flute Player Arn Chorn Pond makes beautiful music with it (above); with Phloeun and CLA friends (below)

Uses of the krama as explained in a poem by comedian Prom Manh on Radio Free Asia.

The all-purpose krama is not only for the head and shoulders but can be a belt, a pouch, and here a table cloth... TRY Vannak wrapped up in a krama and in his work, when my staff at Youth Festival in Pursat, April 2008.

Cheating! Not exactly a krama (but beautiful Cambodian silk in Cambodian patterns) Kep, 2008

Where in the world is your krama?

MORE PHOTOS . . .

WEAR KRAMA CAMPAIGN

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Page One - Advocacy main page

Page Two - EU Charge d'Affairs Rafael Dochao-Moreno

Page Three - Political satire

Page Four - the sexy iKandy

Page Five - Judith Haugwitz of Berlin

Page Six - Kramanation in war time

Page Seven - Family in Kramanation

Page Eight - Krama in daily life (Rithy Panh, Scott Neeson)

Page Nine - The Kennedys / Sam Rainsy / Activist Krama

Page Ten - Young, Hip, Brainy, Cosmopolitan

Page Eleven - Artists, Journalists, Photographers in KRAMAnation

In celebration of International Human Rights Day, 10 Dec. 2010