CAMBODIA: Cambodian artists turn weapons into sculptures

Record ID: 376430

  • Title: CAMBODIA: Cambodian artists turn weapons into sculptures
  • Date: 5th November 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Khmer) OUK CHIM VICHET, ARTIST, SAYING: "We think taking guns that used to kill people and make war at a time when Cambodia is trying to eliminate the use of guns and turning them into art objects which can catch the attention of the public, will show people that they can now forget about these objects that were used for killing"
  • Embargoed: 20th November 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cambodia
  • Country: Cambodia
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVA1AFLD35FBTZ5Y22MUWM1C3L7W
  • Story Text: A group of artists in Cambodia unveil their latest creation -- a Naga snake sculpture made of decommissioned weapons.
    Cambodian artists have been hard at work since March 2007, hammering, sawing and welding decommissioned weapons into a large sculpture in the shape of a Naga, or a mythological cobra which is revered as the original ancestor of the Khmer people.
    The rusted AK47s and other small arms were surrendered by the residents of Cambodia's Battambang Province in recent years as the country slowly puts its conflict-scarred past behind.
    "We think taking guns that used to kill people and make war at a time when Cambodia is trying to eliminate the use of guns and turning them into art objects which can catch the attention of the public, will show people that they can now forget about these objects that were used for killing,"
    said artist Ouk Chim Vichet.
    The 6.3-metre Naga which weighs three tonnes was made from 2,377 guns.
    It symbolizes water, development and the happiness of the people of Cambodia and will be on permanent display in a public park in Battambang, Cambodia's second-largest city nearly 300km from Phnom Penh.
    "This is a work of art made from guns that we and JSAC collected.
    The "Naga for Peace and Development" has been made in order to unite and defend the peace and push for development in all fields for our country's prosperity," said Battambang governor Prach Chan.
    The Japan Assistance Team for Small Arms Management in Cambodia (JSAC) has been actively involved in the region in assisting local authorities to persuade villagers to give up their arms. Since 2003, close to 28,000 small arms have been collected as part of peace-building activities.
    With the gradual return of peace in the 1990s and increased security for communities in even the most far-flung, jungle provinces, the need for every household to be armed has waned.
    Having a weapon under one's roof is now illegal, but in the provinces shootings, often involving drunk protagonists is not unusual.
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