TUESDAY 4 | Armed with fire-breathing winged things, several shadow puppets and a video camera, Ernst Altmann, an artist from Berlin, and his filmmaker wife Bjela Proßowsky set out to discover similarities between the Old Continent and Asia – and uncovered a few peculiarities along the way. The couple chose dragons as their theme because the creatures exist in every culture. Legend has it that the lands of the Khmer originated from the Naga, a water dragon, something Cambodia’s sense of identity is still strongly connected to. While some youngsters scoff, dismissing winged fire-breathers as the stuff of childish fantasy, Ernst noticed they exhibit a certain shyness towards – almost a fear of – these fantastical beings, especially when talking about Neak Ta, a guardian spirit. Somehow, even under the surface, Cambodians still identify with it. “The dragon is the symbol of power of nature,” says Ernst. “It’s the human connection to his natural state. Europeans killed this bond, but in Cambodia it’s different. It’s a moment to say: ‘Hey, don’t forget that this is your power. It’s great that you have it. Don’t lose it.’”
WHO: Artist Ernst Altmann and filmmaker Bjela Proßowsky
WHAT: How To Talk To Dragons performance, exhibition and installation
WHERE: Meta House, #37 Sothearos Blvd.
WHEN: 7pm March 4
WHY: “I believe in everything until it’s disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it’s in your mind. Who’s to say that dreams and nightmares aren’t as real as the here and now?” – John Lennon