Swiss architecture and design firm atelier oï’s circular building concept derives from The Gong's place in Asian spiritual practices. SINGAPORE – Swiss photographer Hannes Schmid is regarded in Western art, fashion, film and entertainment circles as a legendary photographer and photo-artist whose work is sought after for its visceral candour. He started out in the early 1970s documenting cannibal folk culture in the remote jungles of Irian Jaya (now known as Papua) in Indonesia.
After creating an exhaustive body of work ranging from photography to oil paintings spanning almost half a century, the 78-year-old is now pouring everything he has into what he says is probably his “last project” – The Gong, billed as Cambodia’s biggest music and cultural centre. The design of the centre is derived from the ancient Khmer gong, a symbol of resonance and cultural outreach. The circular landmark sits on 150ha of land near Cambodia’s capital city Phnom Penh.
The land is owned by Smiling Gecko Cambodia, a non-governmental organisation run by Schmid, who founded it in 2014. The Gong is dedicated to nurturing Khmer arts and culture, and is slated to open with a two-day launch on June 28. An aerial perspective of the circular structure, The Gong.
PHOTO: SMILING GECKO CAMBODIA At a recent interview in Singapore, the sprightly, tanned photographer digresses from his latest work with a vignette from his storied past. In 1978, he was hauled up on stage by Angus Young, the mercuri.
