ART :: Mask Project to promote contemporary art

What happens when a group of 40 prominent and up-and-coming artists
are given an identical mask on which to express their deepest creative
desires?

The artists, 27 Cambodian and 13 foreigners with deep ties to
Cambodia, have each been given an about 60cm by 60cm papier-mâché mask
to paint or adorn any way they want.

All 40 masks will be available for purchase via a silent auction for
the 10 days following the opening, with cash raised channeled into a
fund to promote contemporary art here.

The project is the brainchild of Empty Space Productions.

"We definitely don't want this to be a one-off, what we do next year
will depend a lot on the final outcome and the artists' feedback, but
we want this to be a strong annual event that draws awareness to
contemporary art in Cambodia and provides an outlet for up-and-coming
local artists."

The Cambodia Mask Project opens on Thursday May 24 at 6pm at the
Plantation Hotel (28 Street 184, between Norodom Blvd and Street 19).

A silent auction runs through June 3 and the masks can be viewed at
http://www.cambodiamaskproject.org/