I thought I would write a little more about the Anjali photobook which we’ll be launching during the festival on 22 November at the Angkor Hospital for Children.
Each year, and as part of the Angkor Photo Festival, the children of Anjali House have been participating in annual photo workshops supervised by international photographers who volunteer their time. Titled Cambodia, our Vision, the 220-page photobook presents hundreds of pictures taken by the children during the 2008 and 2009 workshops.
Generously sponsored by Friends of Khmer Culture (F.O.K.C.I.) and the Equality & Opportunity Foundation, the book has themed chapters such as ‘School,’ ‘Home,’ Market,’ and ‘Animals’ – and a rather interesting ‘Tourism’ chapter in which we get a glimpse of how the children view the hordes of tourists that descend upon their town. Sokdam, who’s exhibiting at this year’s festival, has an entire chapter for his work!
Here’s a little excerpt from the introduction written by Christian Caujolle, founder of Agence Vu and Gallery Vu:
They were able to give free rein to the closest thing to them: themselves. Their very particular way, for example, of seeing animals, of being fascinated by fish in aquariums, by coiled serpents, by multi-coloured butterflies, suggests both closeness to and a sensitive, just distance from nature that requires photography, abstraction, image; a time that has been and will never be again.
You can get a sneak peek of the book by downloading the pre-sale catalogue here. To find out more or to place an order, please email either Anjali House’s Director Samuel Flint at info@anjali-house.com. Of course, all sales proceeds from the book will go directly to supporting the Anjali House.
(More about Anjali after the jump.)
Created in 2005, Anjali House is a centre that provides refuge, care and education for more than 80 under-privileged children between the ages of 4 and 16 years old. Each year, and as part of the Angkor Photo Festival, the children of Anjali have been participating in annual photo workshops supervised by renowned international photographers. This book presents pictures taken by the children during the 2008 and 2009 photo workshops.