Long Beach approves memorial to victims of Killing Fields

Cambodian Genocide Memorial Park will honor the millions who died at the hands of Khmer Rouge.



In Long Beach, California, a vacant lot will be the future site of one of the nation's only memorials dedicated to victims of the Killing Fields -- the millions of Cambodians who died at the hands of the Khmer Rouge.

Long Beach's Killing Fields Memorial to Honor Trauma Experienced Before, During and After Genocide

Last week, the Long Beach City Council voted to lease a 6,210-square-foot lot for the development of the proposed Cambodian Genocide Memorial Park, to be located in the city's Cambodia Town neighborhood.

The memorial center will feature Khmer-style dwellings located on a landscaped plot of land bordered by an orderly fence, patches of green grass, a koi pond and a few leafy trees.

Anida Yoeu Ali and The Buddhist Bug Project

Artist explores identity by dressing up as a giant orange bug



Got this link passed along to me, and it's so weird and wonderful, I had to share... Artist, activist, friend to the blog (and former Angry Reader of the Week) Anida Yoeu Ali is exploring her cultural and spiritual identity by dressing up as a giant orange bug. Whaaaa? Seriously. A really big bug. And it's pretty awesome.

Artist Dresses Up As A Giant Orange Bug To Explore Her Cambodian Heritage

The Buddhist Bug Project, created with with photographer Masahiro Sugano and Phnom Penh-based Studio Revolt, is rooted in an autobiographical exploration of identity, and Anida's own spiritual turmoil between Islam and Buddhism. Set amongst everyday people in ordinary moments, the Bug "provokes obvious questions of belonging and displacement."

At the very least, you'll get a kick out of seeing this enormously strange orange creature -- the costumes coils can expand to nearly 100 feet -- just chillin' in the most mundane settings. Here's Anida's artist statement: