Bomb Ponds (2009) | Vandy Rattana

I'm glad I caught the Signature Art Prize finalists on display at the Singapore Art Museum today. One of the finalists, Vandy Rattana, presented a very moving video along with some photographs depicting holes caused by American bombs in Cambodia, which had turned into ponds over the years. These are two of them:

Photos from www.vandyrattana.com

What struck me the most was how something so beautiful could be caused by such a tragic event. The video that accompanied the photographs were especially poignant as the film-maker managed to meet with the victims of the Vietnam war in Cambodia to speak to them about the Bomb Ponds, with more than a little heartache. Some of those interviewed recounted memories of losing their loved ones in the bombing and there was an acute sense of helplessness and despair as they struggled for answers as to why, in their search for Vietnamese fighters, the US army saw fit to harm innocent rice farmers.