Smiling Gecko
WINNER 2024 | Category: Social & Culture
Entrant
Abstract
The NGO “Smiling Gecko” pursues a holistic approach to improve the living conditions of rural society in Cambodia. Music, an integral part of every society, was wiped out under the Khmer Rouge and disregarded thereafter. We support SG on all matters «Sound» – to provide opportunities for local creatives and for the society to prosper as a whole.
Description
A spark of hope for Cambodia in a reality without perspective – thanks to the NGO “Smiling Gecko”: With economic and ecological cluster projects, it pursues a holistic approach that leads to a sustainable improvement of living conditions among rural society. SG has grown to a stunning 150ha site in the past years: housing for families in poverty, a school for 460 children, fields/farms, various craft workshops and a stunningly beautiful resort. SG has been founded by internationally acclaimed Swiss photographer Hannes Schmid.
Music is evidently an integral part of every society, especially in the early development of children and teenagers. This was wiped out in Cambodia under the rule of the Khmer Rouge and not nurtured again thereafter. Cultural regeneration, more than ever, plays an essential role in the country’s recovery. It caters to the need to transmit culture to rebuild bridges between generations, between individuals and between institutions. To share one’s art orally does not only mean passing on know-how. It also means passing on people skills. As an artist himself, Hannes Schmid knows about the impact that music and arts can have. That is why creativity and the training/learning of possibilities of artistic expression had a vital role from the start of SG.
Department of Noise is supporting SG on a voluntary basis with their expertise on all matters music and sound since 2017. This includes production of fundraising-songs (sung by the school kids), sound branding elements for their communication needs and – most recently – consulting, conception and execution of «The GONG». This addition to the SG ecosystem comprises a state-of-the-art 200m2 recording facility, an auditorium for up to 140 pax and a catering kitchen in a stunning gong-shaped house (designed by the highly acclaimed Swiss architecture office Atelier Oï). It is the aim to create a platform to preserve the lost musical heritage while providing a place for creativity to flourish far beyond the Cambodian border. The GONG will officially open its doors in June 2024, with international press and guests/artists from Cambodia and abroad, including famous music and film makers.
Project Video