A n exhibition of photographs by Khmer artists opened at the French Cultural

Center on Mar 9 and will run to Apr 3.

The exhibit is the product of a

project called "A.R.T.S. Cambodge" designed to help in the renewal of Khmer

artistic talent.

With support from the French Ministry of Culture and the

city of Montreuil, and the cooperation of the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and

Fine Arts, an Arts Center has been established in the capital with the purpose

of providing a new impulse to Khmer creativity while preserving a respect for

traditional art.

Since December 1993, students have been studying

photographic theory combined with practical field trips to local

communities.

The exhibit displays the initial works of the first group of

students with a wide range of photographic subjects including photos of the

restoration of the Royal palace roofs, the dance school, a cigarette factory and

many more aspects of Khmer life.