Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
In Cambodia, where the ancient city of Angkor once flourished, a temple sits on a man-made island in the middle of a reservoir. In Awkun, Cambodian American director praCh Ly shares a day in the life of the surrounding community. Through glimpses of lives intertwined with the reservoir’s waters, this short film draws attention to the often-overlooked relationships that bridge sacred and urban spaces, from past to present.
Visit our exhibition Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean to see the full film alongside the six-meter-long bronze sculpture that once resided there, on loan from the National Museum of Cambodia: https://asia.si.edu/whats-on/exhibitions/vishnus-cosmic-ocean/
In Cambodia, where the ancient city of Angkor once flourished, a temple sits on a man-made island in the middle of a reservoir. In Awkun, Cambodian American director praCh Ly shares a day in the life of the surrounding community. Through glimpses of lives intertwined with the reservoir’s waters, this short film draws attention to the often-overlooked relationships that bridge sacred and urban spaces, from past to present.
Visit our exhibition Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean to see the full film alongside the six-meter-long bronze sculpture that once resided there, on loan from the National Museum of Cambodia: https://asia.si.edu/whats-on/exhibitions/vishnus-cosmic-ocean/
