Molyvann update

Iconic Khmer architect Vann Molyvann has been resting up at his Siem Reap weekender, and provided more details about his latest project, the Sokhalay Angkor Hotel.

Vann Molyvann revealed the new building he has designed, on Siem Reap’s busy hotel row on National Road 6, is actually an edifice that leads to a hotel behind the proposed building.

A narrow piece of land connects that hotel with the road and the general who owns the land requested that Van Molyvann design a building to act as a bridge.

This building, in-keeping with Vann Molyvann’s legacy, will be unique, and will house a conference area, and an elevated restaurant that looks back at the not-too-distant Angkor Wat.

But construction has halted, following a younger relative of the general becoming involved. Possible design changes are mooted, and there is talk that a performance centre will be incorporated into the plan.

Sport goes arty

Sports photographers don’t often get a look into the artier side of the scene, and their work rarely graces galleries.

But Siem Reap’s Eric de Vries is changing that this week with a new exhibition he is hosting at his 4Faces Café and Gallery, featuring the work of Phnom Penh-based sports photographer, Nick Sells.

Nick is well known to our readers because his work features regularly in the Post’s sports section.

For his debut Siem Reap exhibition, Nick has selected a series of shots taken at the Olympic Stadium.

“I love the Olympic Stadium,” he said, “It is a place where anybody can go, rich or poor. It has so many sports being played, using every inch of the stadium and its grounds. There are also the guys running the keep-fit classes. At times, it has a real festival feel – I really like it.

“I’m at the stadium about three times a week, mostly shooting football for the Post and sometimes just taking photos for me, of the abundant action which happens everyday.

“The 4Faces gallery features a small selection of some of my favourites photographs from my visits to the stadium.”

The exhibition launches at 4Faces this evening at 7pm, and will be on display through September.

Tuk tuk rally

Pimping tuk tuks has become de rigeur in Siem Reap and now locally-based MaD Adventures announces that the inaugural MaD Tuk Tuk Challenge will kick off on January 20.

This will involve a 10-day rally across Cambodia by tuk tuk to raise funds for the NGO, MaD International.

Each tuk tuk must be manned by two people; contestants are requested to ‘pimp’ vehicles – decorate them in garish, standout style.

Organiser Philip Starling confirmed that a support team will accompany the tuk tuk contestants.

This team includes a 4x4 support vehicle, four outriders to ensure safe passage for the convoy, a medical team, and a contingency of spares, supplies and water.

Starling also said the ambitious plan is for the rally to raise a quarter of a million dollars for the NGO, and he expects funds to be forthcoming from businesses recruited to sponsor the 25 tuk tuks he hopes to register for the madcap run.

Interested sponsors can sign up by emailing: [email protected]