Khvay Samnang: Calling for Rain
- THIS EVENT HAS EXPIRED
- Tickets
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Free
- Dates and times
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Saturday 20th Nov 2021 - Sunday 27th Mar 2022
Check venue opening times
Mondays - CLOSED
Tuesday - Friday 12 noon - 5pm
Saturday and Sunday 12 noon - 6pm
Following COP 2021 Tramway’s main gallery presents a new work for children and young people by Phnom Penh, Cambodia-based artist Khvay Samnang.
Khvay Samnang (b. 1982) is a visual storyteller whose works at the intersection of art and social justice. Intrinsic to his work is his personal and direct engagement with local communities. For over a decade Khvay’s works have examined the relationship between humans and nature through the lens of Cambodia’s environmental crisis. Khvay draws on spiritual ecologies to express the humantitarian challenges faced by these communities in contemporary times who are losing their lands and traditions due to deforestation, unchecked development, land grabbing and forced population displacement.
Combining poetry, ritual, dance and film, Samnang creates powerful and hopeful narratives of resistance in order to address urgent environmental issues. Through storytelling and playful humour, his work explores the deep spiritual and sacred links between nature and humans, often informed by ancient mythologies and indigenous cultures within Cambodia. Essential to his work is the use of the body and gesture and he regularly collaborates with performer Rady Net who is trained in the indigenous classical dance form ‘Lakhon Koal’. Situating his performances in areas under threat of environmental devastation, Khvay develops rituals to embody forms of resistance and collective action.
In this new exhibition Khvay presents his 2021 film ‘Calling For Rain’ at the heart of an immersive, environment incorporating sculpture and photography. The exhibition includes the masks woven from forest vines originally worn by performers. The film itself follows the story of ‘Reamar’, the Cambodian version of the epic Ancient Indian poem Ramayana and features a cast of animal spirits who also represent different symbolic actors in the narrative of climate change. The story starts after Kiri The Monkey meets and falls in love with Kongea The Fish, and depicts the struggles they must then overcome after the loss of his home in the forest. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the problems of the forest and its surrounding fields and rivers are linked to the irresponsible behaviours of the Fire Dragon.
'Calling for Rain' (2021) was commissioned for the Children's Biennale, by the National Gallery of Singapore
All images show the installation at Tramway.
Photography by Keith Hunter
Film (below) by Natalie McGowan
Accessibility guides
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Large Print and Braille programme material available upon request.
Some performances may also be BSL interpreted, audio described or have further assistance available. Access information for individual events is included in their event listing.
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Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome. We can provide a bowl of water for an assistance dog. The assistance dog toilet area is located to the rear of the building.
Assistance dogs are allowed in the auditorium.
Wheelchair access
There is level access to all Tramway spaces and the cafe, with lift access to the upper spaces.
There are designated spaces for wheelchair users in the theatre.
Baby changing
Baby changing facilities are available on the ground floor
Baby feeding
Breastfeeding is welcome at Tramway
Cafe or restaurant
Full table service is not available. Food or drinks can be ordered at the counter and will be brought to the table.
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Menus are hand held only, but are clearly presented in contrasting colours. Menus are not available in Braille.
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On street only
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At times, Glasgow Life will be on the premises to film and take photos.
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Location Map
Tramway is a post-industrial venue with a range of unique and versatile spaces, popular with private and corporate clients looking for a venue ‘with a difference’. Tramway is an ideal space for performances, exhibitions, private viewings, seminars, meetings and smaller scale functions.
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