Kep West & Arts and Music: Marc Cholleton, ‘’energy, ecology and creativity with Art for Kep ‘’
- Kep West
- Apr 11
- 6 min read
It's 5:30 pm on a sun-kissed Saturday at Coco Beach, the idyllic white-sand beach designed by Kep West. As the sun sets over the horizon, the customers, relaxed and happy, take their seats in their deckchairs, cocktail in hand, beaming from ear to ear. Meanwhile, the technicians, buzzing with excitement, are busy connecting the sound system, instruments and microphones on the small beach stage. Marc, the 'man behind the scenes' of the show, is overseeing everything.
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A buzz of excitement is in the air as the group The Wooden Bridge, made up of solid local musicians, prepares to perform. On the programme: a series of covers of rock songs from all over the world with a Khmer twist, announces Marc Cholleton, the artistic director of Art for Kep, who, for several months now, has overseen the cultural activities at the hotel complex.
Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
My name is Marc Cholleton. I'm 48 years young, and I'm French Cambodian. My grandmother was a Apsara dancer at the Royal Palace. That's probably where my love of performance comes from. I have always worked in the amazing fields of art, music and entertainment. I have been living here in Cambodia for about twenty years, and I love it here! During this time, I've had the incredible privilege of collaborating with numerous associations and artists, each of whom has enriched my journey and expanded my horizons.
Tell us about your training.
I learnt as I went along. I taught myself everything I know. I started out as a sound technician. Then I became a sound engineer. After that, I did a lot of show programming. That's about all there is to say about how I got where I am.
And so, you have been living in Kep, Cambodia, for 20 years...
I have been living in Cambodia for eight years. But I have been working on several international projects for about twenty years. I have been living in Kep with my partner for three years. We have a restaurant there called Kep Natural. I oversee the restaurant's entertainment.
You also collaborate with Art for Kep
It's a concept that we're proud to be part of. I met the boss of Kep West, Jef Moons, a year ago and we had an inspiring chat about my work on this project. He wanted to develop the cultural aspect of the hotel complex, and I was delighted to take part. For him, the timing was ideal, and he liked my background. So, I suggested organising a show every month. We are open to all styles of music: local, international, DJs...
Jef agreed that the musicians and artists should play in several locations in the city. This helps to create an atmosphere that reinforces the artistic ambitions of the project. So, I became the artistic director of the Art for Kep and Kep West project. It's a collaboration that works well.
Give us a bit more detail about the Art for Kep concept
Get ready for something truly amazing, because Art for Kep is an incredibly innovative cultural initiative that aims to transform the city of Kep into a dynamic centre of creativity and sustainable tourism. The project is a fantastic combination of art, music and environmental conservation, which is going to rejuvenate the region's landscape and make it even more appealing to local and foreign visitors.
Look at the magnificent sculpture near The Wave restaurant, Coral Kingdom: a monumental 5.7-metre sandstone work created by the incredible Cambodian artist Sothea Thang. This awe-inspiring piece symbolises unity and environmental awareness, beautifully encapsulating the essence of Kep's coastal beauty and the vital importance of preserving it for future generations.
The initiative was then expanded with the launch of the amazing Kep Music City in November 2024. This exciting new addition, which I am particularly involved in, aims to bring a dynamic programme of musical performances to the city, with DJ sets on Fridays, live music on Saturdays and relaxed brunches with live performances on Sundays.
We are so, so lucky to have a truly wonderful and beautiful ambassador, the incredible performer Nov Dana. She is an incredible Cambodian singer who captivates audiences with her remarkable talent and infectious energy. Her beautiful voice and dynamic performances are simply out of this world, and the way she combines traditional Khmer music with contemporary styles to create a unique and captivating sound is simply something else.
But that's not all! Art for Kep's vision goes beyond the visual and musical arts. It's a global project that aims to create a comprehensive cultural platform encompassing various art forms such as fashion, performing arts and dance. It's a space where emerging Cambodian talent can flourish, attracting tourists and contributing to the local economy.
The initiative is also an exciting opportunity for everyone to get involved! Corporate sponsors and individual contributors can donate as little as five dollars for each 'brick' used in the Coral Kingdom sculpture. This innovative approach to financing is a fantastic way to make sure the project is sustainable in the long term while also fostering a wonderful sense of community involvement.
As part of its broader vision, Art for Kep includes initiatives focused on the conservation and restoration of the marine environment, emphasising the importance of environmental sustainability alongside artistic development. But Jef will be better able to tell you about that than I.
So, you're not limited to music at all?
We organised an exhibition two months ago at the Hôtel Saravoan and another photo exhibition at Art Bar. We are working on painting exhibitions, but also on more fun events such as kite competitions and skateboarding demonstrations, activities in which I would like schools to participate.
Are there any other events planned?
We just couldn't wait to get it up and running, so we launched the open-air cinema on the private beach of Kep West, Coco Beach. It's a popular concept, where people can watch a film in their deckchair, sipping a cocktail and right by the sea. It's still in its early stages, but we're already dreaming big. We can't wait to grow this amazing activity into a classic that's a must-do in Kep's cultural scene. We are thrilled to announce that the International Film Festival will be decentralised to us in April or May, promising an unforgettable celebration of cinema.
During the previous festival, the actor Mat Dillon came to Kep West for lunch and was taken with the place.
And I would love for this initiative to spread throughout the city, with the creation of a travelling cinema! Imagine the magic of the big screen, bringing joy to people's lives and introducing them to something new.
It's about breathing new life into the charm of Kep, a city that once stood as a beacon for its vibrant cultural identity. In the 1960s, Kep was a symbol of joie de vivre and modernity, earning it the nickname 'Cambodian Riviera'.
It was the place to be for Cambodia's elite, with its glamorous events and fashion evenings drawing in international icons like Jackie Kennedy and more. There was always so much going on – people came especially to dance, attend parties, and so on. It's that same vibrant spirit that we're thrilled to revive through the Art for Kep initiative.
And we are delighted to announce that next November, we will be hosting the Phnom Penh Photo Festival. We're thrilled to have the opportunity to involve local photographers in both the workshops and photo exhibitions. We are working flat out to offer something exciting for both photographers and the public.
About "Coral Kingdom": an artistic and monumental vision
At the heart of the Art for Kep project is the awe-inspiring 'Coral Kingdom', a 5.7-metre sandstone sculpture created by the talented Cambodian artist Tang Sothea. This striking work is the first installation of Knai Bang Chatt's ART for Kep initiative, which aims to promote cultural tourism and environmental conservation.
This sculpture reflects the beauty and fragility of nature, while serving as a symbol of unity and cooperation between local and international stakeholders.
Jef Moons, CEO of Knai Bang Chatt, emphasises the importance of public art in inspiring creativity and educating communities. Thanks to crowdfunding efforts, locals and visitors can get involved by purchasing symbolic 'bricks' for the sculpture. Coral Kingdom is just the beginning; future installations and performances will transform Kep into a dynamic cultural centre.
Participate: https://www.artforkep.org/coralkingdom
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