The exhibition will feature costumes, accessories and masks which are part of two major traditions of the Cambodian culture – Khmer classical dance and Khmer traditional wedding. Both reflect the myths and structure of Cambodian society and are perceived as  embodiments of the cultural belief system as well as a unique complex of artistic expressions. All exhibition items are works of the Cambodian master artist Chamroeun Yin.
 
Chamroeun Yin was born in Cambodia and immigrated in the U.S. some 30 years ago. He is a dancer, a traditional costume and mask maker and a teacher in Cambodian traditional crafts and court dances.

Khmer classical dance (also known as Cambodian court dance) has a tradition that goes back more than a thousand years to the great Khmer empire which flourished from the ninth to the fifteenth centuries CE. During that time the king created the Royal Ballet to act as an intermediary between the monarchy and the spiritual realm. The sacred symbolism of the Khmer classical dance, its graceful gestures and exquisite costumes came to represent the very soul of Khmer culture. One of the creation myths even explains the origin of the Cambodian people as descendants from the holy union of a hermit and a celestial dancer (apsara). The importance of this dance tradition was recognized by UNESCO in 2003 when the Royal Ballet of Cambodia was inscribed as a Masterpiece of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity.

Khmer classical dance conveys sacred, social and aesthetic messages through movement, rhythm, gesture, pose and elaborate costume. It requires exceptional levels of artistry in all aspects. Essential parts of the court dance repertoire are the dance-dramas based on the story of the Reamker (Cambodian version of the Hindu epic Ramayana). We can see represented in them the characters of Preah Ream (Prince Rama in the original epic) and his wife Neang Seda (Sita), Preah Leak (Lakshmana), Hanuman, Sovann Maccha (Mermaid, Queen of the fish), and the wicked demon Krong Reap (Ravana), king of the giants (Yeaks) among others who are part of the epic story.

Our visitors will have a unique opportunity to see among the exhibition items fully assembled male and female dance costumes designed for characters portraying royalties or deities in the Reamker episodes, accessories and various types of crowns used in such dances as Pream, Apsara, Tep Monoram, Boung Soung (Praer Dance), Chhoun Por (Wishing Dance), and Moni Mekhala; the tails of Sovann Maccha and Kinnari, and the masks of Reap (Ravana) and Kumbhakar (his brother and helper).

A dancer himself Chamroeun Yin creates costumes with sensitivity for the detail and deep knowledge of the beliefs and narratives these costumes portray. They show an astonishing technique of carved-out work finished with gold leaf and crystal stones.

The Cambodian wedding even today takes at least two days and two nights. It begins on Fridays afternoon and includes such ceremonies as Hie (grooms family and friends offering presents to the bride’s house), “Ring-exchange ceremony,” Cut Sok (Hair Cutting ceremony), the Blessing (in Buddhist families), Katt Khant Sla (symbolizing the separation of the Bride from her parents), and Chong Pka Sla (the elders tying palm flowers into three bundles to be given to the oldest relatives of the groom). The wedding continues on Saturday with Choun Pka Sla (Giving the palm flower), followed by the Chong Da (Hand Tying string ceremony), which is the most important and longest part of wedding. The wedding ends with a festive Reception.

The costumes made for the groom and the bride vary for the different wedding ceremonies. Our visitors will see on display bridal costume for the wedding reception, various sashes with masterful beadwork on golden lame, hair pieces and other wedding accessories.

Additional handouts and other printed materials will provide the stories of the various dances and wedding ceremonies in order to help our visitors to fully understand the nature of their meaning and beauty.

Family Workshops with Cambodian Master Artist Chamroeun Yin Read More & Register>>

The workshops are offered in conjunction with the exhibition and will provide a unique opportunity for both children and adults to explore further some of the Cambodian traditional arts while learning about the culture and the life of the Cambodian community.

• Cambodian Beadwork On Fabric, Sunday April 25, 2pm to 4pm
• Cambodian Court Dance, Sunday, September 19, 2pm to 4pm

• Cambodian Music and Dance Presentation by Chamroeun Yin, Sunday, October 3, 1:30pm to 3pm

Read More & Register>>