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Ta Phrom is a temple in the jungles
of Cambodia. It was built in the thirteenth century by Jajavarma VII. While
other monuments in the Angkor region have been cleared of the encroaching
jungle, Ta Phrom has been left as it was found by French explorers who
rediscovered it in the nineteenth century. I spent two days there in 1993,
mostly alone, roaming and photographing in splendid isolation.
In February, 2000 I returned to Ta Phrom under a blazing
noon-time sun to find much had changed. While still left in a ruined state,
fallen blocks have been organized into great piles and except for major
trees, all of the underbrush has been cleared from the temple area. The
days of clambering through rubble-filled courtyards are over. Paths have
been cleared into all parts of the temple and each section has a attendant
on duty. Much more sunlight illuminates the temple grounds, exposing the
brilliant green lichen that covers everything. I counted six artists throughout
the grounds sketching furiously--no doubt for expensive, glossy coffee
table art books. So much had changed I had a hard time relating the photos
I took seven years ago to what the temple looks like today. I have posted
a few of the new photos. |
