Bangkok--12 Sep--LE MERIDIEN Through the lens of art and design, Le M?ridien Angkor creates a stimulating experience that invites guests to see Cambodia from a new perspective. The Tara Room at Le M?ridien Angkor will be the venue of a new and illuminating exhibition of photography from now until 31 December 2008. Entitled “Apsara Spirit of Cambodia”, the exhibition features a selection of photographs dating from the beginning of the 20th century, along with more recent images. Possessing the power to capture imagination and emotions, the apsaras, or celestial dancers, are an intimate part of Cambodia’s soul. The dance they have inspired is an expression of the nation that has survived all upheavals since the time of Angkor. The origins of the art can be traced back 1,000 years as sculpted dancers appear frequently in temples erected when Cambodia’s vast Angkorian empire dominated the region. These dancers fashioned in stone were the heavenly entertainers of deities, their charms the reward of kings and heroes. The living apsaras have, for centuries, been linked both to religious beliefs and monarchy while the intricate artistry of Cambodian classical dance was transmitted from generation to generation. The current exhibition features photographs taken throughout the 20th Century—from the early 1900s to the late 1990s—charcoal drawings and testimonies as evidence of the beauty of an art brought to us through time and vividly alive. Carvings-replicas of the National Museum’s masterpieces, which reflect the splendors of the Angkorian civilisation, will complete the display. The exhibition is organised by Francois Heymann and Angkor Heritage in cooperation with the Ecole fran?aise d’Extr?me-Orient (EFEO). Born in Paris in 1963, Fran?ois Heymann had been working in the financial market for five year when he decided, in 1994, to come to Cambodia as a humanitarian-sector volunteer. Based in Cambodia ever since, he has been involved in more than 20 social and educational projects, including the country’s first school for the blind. The long-neglected field of arts and crafts eventually captured his attention, which prompted him to support the making of genuine Cambodian arts and crafts. He is co-founder of Angkor Heritage. His involvement and search for beauty has extended to art, dance and photography, which for him are a passion. Angkor Heritage is an initiative aimed at developing and promoting Cambodian traditional know-how. Objects are produced through a network of village artisans scattered all over the country and selected for the exceptional quality of their craft. Angkor Heritage, whose main focus is Khmer sculpture, organizes each year in Siem Reap town the exhibition “When the Buddha Smiles” featuring a selection of 50 unique statues of the Buddha carved out of aged wood. The EFEO is a French-government institution dedicated to the study of Asian societies which embarked on the restoration of Angkor’s monuments more than a century ago. In 1908, it created Angkor Conservation that still serves as the country’s Angkorian artifact repository. In the 1990s, the institution’s restoration work focused on the royal terraces of Angkor Thom and on the Baphuon temple. Restoration of the Terrace of the Leper King was completed between 1993 and 1996, and the Terrace of the Elephants between 1996 and 1999. The work on the Baphuon, Angkor’s biggest monument after Angkor Wat, started in 1995 and is scheduled for completion in 2009. The EFEO’s recent activities in Cambodia have included research in various fields, from epigraphy to anthropology, as well as archeological digs. Its collection of books, reviews and photographs constitutes one of the world’s most important sources of information on Southeast Asia’s historical sites. Le M?ridien Angkor combines elements of traditional Khmer creativity with chic contemporary d?cor. The refined and thoroughly modern guestrooms are rich in timbers and hand woven silks, creating a pleasurable environment in which to relax. Just moments from the magnificent Angkor, the hotel occupies an inspiring setting and allows for convenient sunrise or sunset excursions to the ancient monuments. Siem Reap International Airport is only 14 kilometres away. To discover more please simply e-mail [email protected] or call T: +855 63 963 900 or visit lemeridien.com/angkorNote to editor: Le M?ridien brand, currently represented by approximately 113 properties in 50 countries, was acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. in November 2005. With close to 80 percent of its properties located in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Le M?ridien provides a strong international complement to Starwood’s primarily North American holdings. Plans call for dynamic expansion of Le M?ridien-branded hotels and resorts within the next five years, concentrating in the U.S., Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, including destinations such as India, Thailand and China.Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood? Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis?, The Luxury Collection?, Sheraton?, Westin?, Four Points? by Sheraton, W?, Le M?ridien? and the recently announced Aloft SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.TO DISCOVER MORE IMAGES: Visit starwoodarchive.com and register to start your discovery. Media Contact: Natsinee Keawpiean/[email protected]/+66 2650 8800 ext. 6246 Visit www.starwoodpressclub.com for more press releases. NATSINEE KEAWPIEAN MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE PLAZA ATHENEE BANGKOK, A ROYAL MERIDIEN HOTEL AND LE MERIDIEN ANGKOR T +66 (0)2 650 8800 F +66(0)2 650 8628 E [email protected] PLAZA ATHENEE BANGKOK A ROYAL MERIDIEN HOTEL 61 WIRELESS ROAD, BANGKOK 10330 THAILAND N 13? 44' E 100? 32'LE MERIDIENANGKOR VITHEI CHARLES DE GAULLE, KHUM SVAY DANG KUM, SIEM REAP, KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA N 13? 22' E 103? 51' lemeridien.com