Khvay Samnang, Preah Kunlong (The Way of the Spirit), 2017, 2-channel video installation with masks, © Khvay Samnang

Khvay Samnang

Dancing the Land

23 May 2022

4 Sep 2022

ifa Gallery Stuttgart
Charlottenplatz 17
70173 Stuttgart

In the exhibition "Dancing the Land" Cambodian artist Khvay Samnang presents works from the years 2010 to 2018. His works have been shown at international biennials, including documenta 14 in 2017, and the Taipei and Syndey Biennials in 2018. Renowned museums have presented solo shows, including the Jeu du Paume in Paris in 2015 and the Haus der Kunst in Munich in 2019.

Bringing sand back to the river bank, to where it was once taken from; pouring liquid rubber over himself; using his own body to draw attention to land grabbing and to deforestation; becoming one with the forest, the animals, and the spirits in movement and with masks – dancing the land. Khvay Samnang’s art is based on the exploration of political, economic, social, and cultural displacement, and getting to know alternative indigenous ways of life. To work against the destruction of natural environments and of the societies and cultures of communities living there, he develops his performances, his video and photo works. The questions he raises are universal. Who owns the land? What is happening to our land? Khvay Samnang’s works are not mere gestures of non-violent resistance; they are also an inspiration for a different way of thinking, acting, and living – a plea for a respectful form of coexistence that will enable us to have a future

Programme

Lange Nacht der Museen/Long night of museums

21.05.2022, 18:00 – 01:00

As part of the Lange Nacht der Museen, the preview of the exhibition Khvay Samnang - Dancing the Land will take place at ifa Gallery Stuttgart.

Every hour on the hour, the ifa Gallery offers short tours of the exhibition.

The artist Khvay Samnang will be present.

Tickets are available at the ifa Gallery and at the advance booking offices.

Experience art with all your senses! An inclusive guided tour

22.05.2022, 17:00 - 18:00

The cultural festival Kulturfestival *funkeln inklusive offers art and culture for all senses. A rich program highlights the topic and involves people with their different abilities.

Visitors can see, hear or feel the exhibition in the ifa Gallery. An architectural tour with a sign language interpreter awaits you in the ifa courtyard.

The baroque ifa building was once Stuttgart's old orphanage. During the guided tour, its history will be told, conveyed through sign language and touched on an architectural model.

Dub Party – Feel the Vibe!

22.05.2022, 19:00 - 21:00

Musician Michael Fiedler creates an experimental sound space in the gallery. He stages a dub party where pulsating basses and low frequencies can be physically felt in front of a wall of large music boxes. The DJs of Elemental Wave play dub and electronic music, to which PPLC (Timo Dufner) reacts with visuals.

The event is part of Kulturfestival *funkeln inklusive.

Art talks and guided tours

22.07.2022, 16:00 – 17:00

Art talks and guided tours of the exhibition Khvay Samnang - Dancing the Land with art historian Andrea Welz, as well as a shared aperitif.

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Dance Performance

07.07.2022, 19:00 – 21:00

In classical Khmer dance, the poses, the posture of the hands and fingers are full of meanings. In his work Popil, Khvay Samnang stages Cambodian dance with its expressive gestures in a contemporary, new form. The dancers wear masks made of interwoven vines, reminiscent of dragon heads. Two dragons meet in circling and writhing movements and tell their love story in the performance.

The performance will be followed by a conversation with the artist Khvay Samnang.

On June 30, 2022, the dance performance Popil will be shown at Villa 102 in Frankfurt, organized by KfW Stiftung. The staging of the performance is a cooperation with the KfW Foundation.

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Art talk and guided tour for visually impaired people

07.07.2022, 17:00 – 18:00

For visually impaired and blind people there is a special guided tour with art mediator Stefanie Alber.

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Finissage guided tour and art talks

04.09.2022, 15:00 – 16:00

The last guided tour of the exhibition Khvay Samnang - Dancing the Land with art historian Andrea Welz, accompanied by art talks and an aperitif.

See event

Opening Hours – ifa Gallery Stuttgart

Tuesday – Sunday: 12.00 – 18.00
Closed on Mondays and holidays.

Free admission

ifa Galleries

The ifa Galleries show the visual arts, architecture and design of a globalized world. They have been addressing contemporary art and current cultural and socio-political developments in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe since 1971 in Stuttgart and since 1991 in Berlin. Exhibition series afford insight into art scenes all over the world and reach across national borders. Conversations, lectures and discussions allow visitors direct contact with artists and curators.

ifa Gallery Berlin

ifa Gallery Stuttgart

Contact

ifa Gallery Stuttgart

Charlottenplatz 17
D-70173 Stuttgart

Telephone: +49.711.2225.173

Email: ifa-galerie-stuttgart@ifa.de

Khvay Samnang

Dancing the Land

Programme

Lange Nacht der Museen/Long night of museums

21.05.2022, 18:00 – 01:00

Experience art with all your senses! An inclusive guided tour