March 28–May 11, 2013
Shelby Cullom Davis Museum
Plaza Corridor Gallery
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
These rare images of five principal women dancers from the Royal Ballet of Cambodia are on display in the United States for the first time. Recently rediscovered, catalogued, restored, and digitized, the 1927 images capture the dancers demonstrating the postures and gestures from the classical canon. French scholar George Groslier, who was the Director of the National Museum of Cambodia, initiated the project to preserve the memory of the ballet, which he believed was endangered. This exhibition is an initiative of the École Française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO) and the National Museum of Cambodia, with support from UNESCO and the Institut Français du Cambodge.
This exhibition was developed by The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts: Jacqueline Z. Davis, Barbara G. and Lawrence A. Fleischman Executive Director; Barbara Cohen-Stratyner, Curator of Exhibitions. It was curated by Bertrand Porte from École Française d’Extrême-Orient(EFEO)in Phnom Penh; designed by Caitlin Mack and installed by René Ronda.
We thank the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia: M. Hab Touch, Director General of the Department of Heritage; M. Kong Vireak, Director of the Museum Department; and Madam Oun Phalline, Vice Deputy Director General of the Department of Heritage.
Website: http://seasonofcambodia.org/event