Cambodia | 2023 | Sculpture

Metamorphosis

How can we envision a sustainable future? Metis invites young Cambodians, students in applied arts, to imagine the city of tomorrow. Through installations and artistic performances, the exhibition unveils thought-provoking and dream-inspiring works to the public.

11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities15 – Life on Land

Metamorphosis

Cambodia at a Crossroads

Experiencing rapid growth for the past 25 years, the country is navigating between global integration and the sustainable management of its resources. Reflecting this duality, the province of Battambang faces both rural and urban growth challenges, questioning its future while striving to preserve its identity. In a country where 70% of the population is under 30, youth represents a key potential for change.

Artist
Christophe Saltzmann, VuthLyno, Khvay Samnang, Daneth Eng
Partners
Phare Ponleu Selpak School
Participants
Students from Phare Ponleu Selpak School
Agency
AFD Cambodia

Imagining Battambang

70%

of the population is under 30 years old

30

artists and 19 students involved

1000

visitors at the exhibition

How can we envision a sustainable future? Nineteen students from the Phare Ponleu Selpak School of Visual and Applied Arts participated in a Design Lab workshop. They explored their vision of Battambang’s future, exchanged ideas, and engaged with young residents under 30 to understand their dreams and aspirations. This process led to the creation of several prototype artworks.

Metis amplified this initiative by involving three artists and a team of environmental mediators who guided the students in shaping their works. After two months of collaboration with their mentors, the students proudly showcased their artistic installations in a public park in Battambang. One of the installations featured an immersive experience: visitors were invited to step inside and explore a suspended forest made of vines and branches. The exhibition attracted over a thousand visitors, sparking dialogue with locals about the province’s sustainable development path.

 

Sandrine Boucher, director of AFD Cambodia

“Understanding sustainable development challenges through the emotions evoked by encountering an artwork.”

Sandrine Boucher, director of AFD Cambodia

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