Place: Embassy of Germany, Cambodia
Curator: K-Bach Gallery
Date: 11/2019
Material: Metal colors
Collaboration: Soben Hour

In November 2019, an artist residency was organized by K-Bach Arts in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in collaboration with the German Embassy. During the residency, the gate of the embassy was painted together with the young Cambodian artist Soben Hour. The project involved using metal paint, navigating the final days of the rainy season, and adapting to noise and pollution directly at the site.

Nine fields from top to bottom and eleven fields from left to right on each side of the gate symbolize the unification of Germany and Cambodia’s Independence Day, both occurring on November 9th. The words Aufbruch & វិវត្តន៍ serve as symbols of breaking away from the past and moving toward a positive future.

As modern public art is rare in Phnom Penh, the positive reactions of local residents and officials highlighted the significance of the project.