Magic in the Air: The Yantra Kite Collection Flies High at GAATO
This September, allow your senses to be lifted (literally) as GAATO Café des Arts becomes home to Magic in the Air: The Yantra Kite Collection, a dazzling exhibition featuring 30 handcrafted kites by French-Cambodian artist Yann Defond.
Indeed, this showcase brings a fresh, cultural breeze to Phnom Penh’s creative scene!
Defond’s kites are more than whimsical decor—they are visual poems rooted in yantra, the mystical diagrams blending Brahmanic, Pali-Khmer, and Buddhist symbolism.
Kites That Carry Culture and Myth
These protective and spiritual patterns, once stones or cloth, are now fluttering on kites made from locally sourced natural materials: Kandal jute, Battambang rattan, rice-glue, and lime-based adhesives layered on kraft paper. Eventbrite+4Living Cambodia Blog+4AllEvents+4
Each kite tells its own story. From epic Ramayana figures like Lord Rama (“Preah Ream thleng sar”) to mythical architects like Pisnuka (the Angkor Wat creator), each design channels Khmer heritage through a kaleidoscope of narrative art. Living Cambodia Blog
Exhibition Details at a Glance
- When: Opening night on Friday, 5 September 2025, 5:30–9:00 PM
- Where: GAATO Café des Arts, 540 Koh Pich Street, Phnom Penh
- Runs Until: 5 October 2025 YouTube+5AllEvents+5Living Cambodia Blog+5
All kites are on display and available for purchase—making it a rare opportunity to bring home a piece of living Khmer artistry. YouTube+9AllEvents+9Living Cambodia Blog+9
Why You Shouldn’t Miss It
Phnom Penh is buzzing with contemporary galleries and pop-up art, but Magic in the Air stands out by weaving timeless mystic heritage into modern visual expression. This is not only an exhibition—it’s a cultural dialogue between past and present that’s alive in motion.
Discover more Arts & Culture in Cambodia
Exploring the kites among café-goers, creative minds, and curious visitors creates a shared experience that feels both meditative and dynamic—a perfect reflection of the space itself.
Context in Cambodia’s Art Landscape
This is not Defond’s first cultural rendezvous. Earlier in 2025, his kite series inspired by Khmer New Year deities and zodiac figures was showcased at Templation Angkor Resort. Living Cambodia Blog
By marrying heritage symbolism with handmade craftsmanship and public exhibition, this show resonates especially in a city seeking to balance modern life with cultural roots.
Why Go?
If you’re looking to refresh your perspective, want to find a meaningful visual to brighten your home or just fancy a day out, Magic in the Air is the one offering depth, craftsmanship, and storytelling with every sail.
Find more Things To Do in Cambodia
GAATO invites all art lovers, cultural explorers, and curious wanderers to experience beauty that floats beyond the frame. Catch the opening and let these yantra kites lift your Phnom Penh experience skyward.
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Author: Tom Starkey
Tom Starkey is an International Development graduate from Sussex University with 12-years of experience across 4 continents, Tom's goal is that he wants to showcase his love for Cambodia, where he lives, works and now happily calls home.
