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| IThe temples brought us here; but it was our Khmer Friends that made us want to stay! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Bearing in mind that the newly opened museum is not completely fitted out; I can only comment on what I saw in early December 2007; three weeks after its “soft” opening. To start with; the building is impressive; with plenty of architectural references to Angkor’s past heritage. The style is simple, unlike like many of the surrounding ornate hotels which ape Khmer Architecture. On entry to the lobby, you get a sense of space and light with glimpses of the circular stairway and the blue pool in the courtyard beyond.
Reflecting Pools outside
Concourse and Atrium (awaiting a spectacular statue)
The inner pool The visit commences on the upper floor, where a short promo film describes the Museum and what you are likely to see there. The first gallery is a spectacular display of 1000 Buddha images. The Buddha’s are set within niches; the lower ones were easy to see; but the upper ones were practically invisible. As yet there are no detailed descriptions of the artifacts. I was assured by staff that labels will be added later.
Most of the upper floor is given over to the Pre-Angkorian period with well presented text descriptions in English and Khmer. The overviews of Hindu and Buddhist religion and Khmer Culture are concise; easy to read and understand.
The lower floor covers the golden age of The Angkor Empire; centered on Angkor Wat. Some of examples of the finely carved Nagas and Lintels are spectacular (but no detailed descriptions of where they came from at present). The cutaway model of Angkor Wat illustrates the construction and is well detailed, even down to the bas relief's on the outer galleries. The Foundation Steles with their Sanskrit inscriptions were of particular interest and the Ancient Costume Hall with the Apsaras was another highlight.
Bayon style heads in upper Lobby
I am usually terminally bored by statues in museums; preferring to see these in their locations. I spent two and a half absorbing hours there .The museum have selected a well balanced range of artifacts; selecting some spectacular pieces and giving plenty of space. I quite like this approach as it is not overwhelming or cluttered like many similar museums.
The multi-media presentations on LCD video screens and multiple projectors are professionally done; are of a sensible length and like the text; not over wordy. The Designers have thought very carefully about the intended audience; which are probably those who have a general interest and want an overview of Angkor before a visit to the Temples. Academics would want more information.
There are a number of spaces to fill and empty pediments. The 8 Armed Vishnu figure in the Angkor Thom section, shown in the brochure, has not materialized. Also the: immense statue in the circular Atrium can only be imagined at the moment.
Coffee Shop
The Cultural Mall is not open yet; but I don’t think the lack of Supermarket, Arts and craft or clothes shops or ATM is going to be a problem. There is a Coffee Shop on the first floor which serves decent coffee and snacks and the inevitable gift shop which you pass through on the way out.
A very sophisticated (and expensive shopping experience)
Overall, the Angkor National Museum provides a good introduction to Angkor; has some spectacular exhibits. The pricing; even at the $8 1st month promotion rate; is high compared to what you would pay in neighbouring countries.
The $12 foreigner price (from Mid December) is going to be hard to justify unless they work quickly to fill the empty spaces and label the artifacts.
The $2 Camera Fee gives you a pass on a lanyard, This only allows photography in the ‘Public Areas’ that is the lobby areas, and coffee shop. It’s pointless having a pass for that; so I suggest you not bother.
Dave Perkes 7th December, 2007
For the official Website see: http://www.angkornationalmuseum.com/images/html/angkor_galleries.html it has some very nice photos of what is there and what will be there when it is complete
© Dave Perkes 2007 www.peaceofangkor.com
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