After our tour, we had an afternoon to plan for. On a whim, The Ravishing Mrs. TB found a tour that covered street art. Two hours later, we hopped in a Tuk-Tuk (The three wheel motorized transport that seems to be everywhere in Cambodia and Thailand) and headed into town.
The first location was in the area of Phnom Penh known as Boueng Kak. It used to be (until 2010) the largest urban lake in Phnom Penh. The lake supported a local community as well as having service industries (houses, restaurants, etc.). In 2007 the lake was leased to a development company, who began to fill up the lake with sand to develop it. There was a lengthy court battle; over 3500 families were evicted. The lake was filled in and built up.
The street art here reflected artists both protesting and mourning the situation.
What a great idea for a tour. I see some of them are even signed by the artist. Such a shame about the lake. Seems the ravenous developer bug is ubiquitous.
ReplyDeleteLeigh, I enjoyed myself far more than I would have expected. Some of the artists are internationally known apparently.
DeleteThe lake was quite a shame. Developers really are more often a curse than not.
The march of urbanization TB, it's everywhere. A mile from me is a 150 unit apartment building with five stories that the city council granted a variance to since four stories were the limit for our town but the developer said "We can't profit without that fifth floor!". Thirty units a floor........follow the $$$$.
ReplyDeleteIt is, Nylon12. I wonder what the city councils will think in 30 years when the developers have moved on and the economy has shifted.
DeleteIt really is all about the money.
What gets me about a lot of these street artist murals is the raw talent and vision these people posses. You'd think they would be able to commercialize it better? I mean, they're clearly geniuses...
ReplyDeleteNylon12 nailed it, too. We need to bring back public lynching and hanging for politicians. At the very least can we agree to tar and feather them again?
Anon, it is not always to my taste, but to your point there is amazing talent and vision there.
DeleteIt is a remarkably odd thing how many politicians on both sides of the aisle suddenly become millionaires on a non-millionaire salary. And surprisingly, how quiet those voices become about corruption...
I have never thought about looking specifically at street art when in a foreign country. I guess it can cross language barriers so I should look at it more often.
ReplyDeleteEd, we were looking for something to do in the afternoon. Trip Advisor had this as an option. Although not my usual thing, I am glad we did it.
Delete