Smithsonian Event - West Mebon Vishnu

The Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art in Washington DC, United States hosted an after-hours experience on Friday evening, to celebrate the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia, the West Mebon Vishnu, which is currently on loan to the museum from Cambodia’s National Museum. The evening included spotlight talks by Professor Vasudha Narayanan and curator Emma Natalya Stein, followed by a dance performance from Sophiline Cheam Shapiro, and a short film screening by Cambodian American director praCh Ly. The event attracted a large attendance including many Khmers living in the Washington area and beyond. Here are some pictures from Vasudha and Kunthary de Gaiffier to recall the experience. The West Mebon Reclining Vishnu went on display on 7 March in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian, and will remain on show until 7 September. After that it will head to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco for five months, before returning to Cambodia.