Smile Insurances
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Smiling Gecko
An NPO that breaks new ground
Sound Identity
A spark of hope for Cambodia in a reality without perspective thanks to the aid project "Smiling Gecko": The project tries to create a sustainable improvement in living conditions in new ways. We are happy to be a small part of it.
«The mission of Smiling Gecko» – soundtrack based on the sound identity
Smiling Gecko is an aid project that truly breaks new ground. With economic and ecological cluster projects, it pursues a holistic approach that leads to a sustainable improvement of living conditions among rural Cambodian society. The opportunity for DoN to assist the project on a philanthropic level as a musical advisor is both an inspiration and a pleasure.
A voice for Cambodia and beyond – The cultural centre «The GONG»
Ambition
Advising and supporting the project on all matters relating to music and audio, with the goal of strengthening the overall strategy of the NPO through the use of music and sound. The aim is to underline both the inconceivable tragedy and the immense hope in a balanced way and to build a cultural bridge between Switzerland and Cambodia.
Most recent
Smiling Gecko is building the «House of Culture and Music», incorporating a professional recording studio as well as an amphitheater for live events. The project aims to become a hub to capture the almost forgotten musical heritage of cambodia and a fertile soil for young local musicians to gather and express a new «cambodian sound». Also, it should become a hidden gem for international artists to create and record.
DoN advises on the conceptual level of this project regarding the needs of the target group and the corresponding design. This takes place in close cooperation with the renowned architecture and design office atelier oï and the acoustic consultancy Applied Acoustics.
Awards
The «Smiling Gecko – a spark of hope» project won an «ISA Bell» award at the International Sound Awards 2024 in Hamburg.
In the press
About Smiling Gecko
Smiling Gecko is a non-profit association founded in 2012 by internationally acclaimed photographer Hannes Schmid. It supports the suffering population of Cambodia through sustainable, ecologically and economically meaningful projects. The vision is to create exemplary models of a functioning rural community in Cambodia, which will function self-sufficiently after the start-up period and will provide people with education, decent work and sustainable income.
Services
Audio Strategy
Audio Consulting
Sound Logo
Video Score Set
Supporting the design and planning of the cultural center «The GONG»
Various Mixing- and Audio Postproduction projects
Music is an integral part of every society and especially in the early development of children and teenagers.
This was wiped out in Cambodia under the rule of the Khmer Rouge and was not cultivated afterwards. With our project "The GONG" we have set ourselves the goal of building a platform for the lost musical heritage and at the same time providing a place for creativity where new things can emerge. DoN is an important partner for us, representing our values and participating in an active and consulting role, also in a philanthropic sense. Their expertise and commitment is a valuable enrichment for us, not only for this particular project but for Smiling Gecko in general!
Hannes Schmid
Photo artist, Founder of Smiling Gecko
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Connecting people with Sound.