Wonderfruit

Wonderfruit
Genre Rock, indie, hip hop, electronic dance music
Dates 4 days in mid-December
Location(s) The Fields at Siam Country Club
Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
Years active 2014–present
Founded by Pranitan Phornprapha and Montonn Jira
Attendance 10,000
Website wonderfruit.co

Wonderfruit is an annual arts, music and lifestyle festival that takes place at The Fields at Siam Country Club, outside Pattaya in Chonburi Province, Thailand. With an emphasis on participation and inclusion plus sustainability and social responsibility, the event features musical performances, art installations, workshops and talks, plus banquets by renowned chefs. The event was launched in December 2014, produced by Thai-based production company Scratch First; the second iteration expanded from three to four days and took place a year later. Wonderfruit 2016 was originally scheduled for 15–18 December 2016. Due to a period of mourning in Thailand following the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, however, it was postponed to 16–19 February 2017.[1]

Notable musical acts have included Richie Hawtin, Roots Manuva, Izzy Bizu, Wild Beasts, Lianne La Havas, Rudimental, Young Fathers,[2] De La Soul, Woodkid, Little Dragon, José González, Seth Troxler, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Submotion Orchestra, Chris Levine x Jon Hopkins (the iy_project), The Faint and Blonde Redhead. Controversy was caused in the first two years with no-shows from billed performers Chet Faker (2014) and Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def (2015).[3]

History

Wonderfruit was created by founder Pranitan “Pete” Phornprapha with Thai musician and co-founder Montonn “Jay” Jira in an effort to bring the festival experience to Thailand, with an emphasis on arts and awareness.[4] The son of the founder of Think Earth, Pete was inspired by the environmental projects of his father’s organization but wanted to merge fun with social responsibility, and to solve environmental problems in a relevant, contemporary way.[5] He aimed to combine quality curation and social responsibility in a platform that would engage audiences.[6]

Ethos

Sustainability

Wonderfruit encourages sustainable and environmentally-friendly living. The on-site water filtration system allows festival-goers to refill the biodegradable water bottles on sale,[7] and the bars serve drinks in biodegradable cups.[8] Creative agriculture is explored via the onsite farm - manned by local organization, Thailand Young Farmers, who grow organic produce, some of which is used in the Wonder Feasts. These communal meals take place in The Theater of Feasts, which is among the structures (including The Quarry and The Sharing Neighbourhood) that are built from locally sourced bamboo.[9] The crops on the farm include asparagus, mushrooms, mulberries, salad leaves, herbs, pumpkins and melons.[10] For the February 2017 edition, organizers invested a portion of each ticket sale into the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve in Borneo, to offset carbon emissions and make Wonderfruit a carbon neutral event[11] and, in a campaign with Johnnie Walker, invested the proceeds from some drink sales into the planting of more than 1,000 mangrove trees in Myanmar.[12] Wonderfruit’s ethos was updated for the December 2017 iteration to say: “We encourage, develop and innovate creative solutions for sustainable living and bring together a global community to celebrate them. We use our platform to catalyze creativity and make a meaningful positive impact.”[13] The 2017 event was certified carbon neutral by the Thailand Greenhouse Organization, supported by the purchase of 1,500 tons of carbon credit. Other additional sustainable initiatives included a food and material waste composting program, and the sale of stainless steel reusable cups. Wonderfruit also invested in a crypotasset called TREE. One TREE token represents a mangrove in Thor Heyerdahl Climate Park and Wonderfruit announced its aim to invest in 10,000 TREEs as a natural capital asset.[14]

Pillars

In 2014 and 2015, Wonderfruit was structured around six pillars: Arts, Music, Farm to Feasts, Health & Wellness, Talks & Workshops and Natural Adventures.[3] In 2016, Wonderfruit announced a slight alteration the original list: Music, Arts, Family, Farm to Feasts, Wellness & Adventures, Talks & Workshops.[15]

Line-up 2017

Music

Richie Hawtin, Roots Manuva, Songhoy Blues, Gui Boratto, Craig Richards (DJ), Bangkok's More Rice and Hong Kong’s ALTN8, Sarayu, Nicola Cruz,[16] Chronixx with Zincfence Redemption, Izzy Bizu, Wild Beasts, Khun Narin and his Electric Phin Band, Yeasayer, All Thidsa, Be Svendsen, Bobby Pleasure, Boonhugsa, Crew Love Takeover, Curtismith, CYRK, Eduardo Castillo, Gapi and the Thai Dub Mafia, Hernandez Brothers, Kingkong and The Chum, Marmosets, Matt Sassari, Mimi Love, Nerve, Side Effect and Singto Numchok.[17]

Arts

Artistic creations were curated based on their adherence to Wonderfruit’s sustainable ethos and many were selected for their choice of and use of recycled or sustainable materials.[18] Architectural additions included The Quarry, by artist and designer Adam Pollina and architect/bamboo supplier and contractor Thor Kaichon. The previous iteration’s Solar Stage by Gregg Fleishman was redeveloped for 2017.[19]

Family

Family activities included child-friendly stand up paddle boarding on Wonderfruit’s natural lake.[20]

Talks & Workshops

Activities emphasized self-improvement and environmental awareness and included permaculture, orangutan conservation, crystal healing and a raku ceramics workshop by Thailand Young Farmers.[19] The event’s series of seminars, Scratch Talks featured speakers including Dianna Cohen of Plastic Pollution Coalition, Bea Johnson - author of Zero Waste Home, activist and paddle boarder Shilpika Gautam and Dr. Arne Fjortoft of Worldview International.[14]

Wellness & Adventures

Wellness activities included a range of yoga sessions,[19] as well as gong baths and orgasm improvement.[18]

Farm to Feasts

Food and drink offerings included burgers by Mother Trucker and coffee from Dean & Deluca,[19] as well as choices from Supanniga Eating Room, healthy food trucks, Live True X SOT, Morimoto Bangkok and Patom’s Organic Bar.[18] Wonderfruit’s Wonder Feasts banquet series included a dinner by award-winning chef Gaggan Anand,[14] who was joined by chefs including twins Mathias and Thomas Sühring of Sühring in Bangkok.[18]

Line-up 2016

Note: Wonderfruit 2016 was postponed and actually took place in February 2017.

Music

Lianne La Havas, Rudimental, Young Fathers, Buke and Gase,[2] Kate Simko and London Electronic Orchestra, Simian Mobile Disco, Nicole Moudaber, Headless Horesman, Yaya, Eric Volta, Sabo, YokoO, Wolf + Lamb, Norman Jay, KMLN, Marc Antona, Akimbo, Superglasses Ska Ensemble, Yena, Sahai Hang Sailom, Srirajah Rockers, At Adau, Luna City Express, Noxro and Uone.[21]

Art

Arts included Solar Stage, created by geometric architect Gregg Fleishman,[21] and Farm Stage, which was designed by Thor. Kaichon and PO-D Architect and inspired by traditional rice farming ceremonies and decorated with harvested rice; it stood in the middle of the Wonderfruit farm.[22] Theatrical performances included a puppet show, pyrotechnics and circus acts,[2] and Friday night saw the event's first LGBT-friendly party, hosted by eminent Thai drag queen, Pangina Heals.[23] Installations included "Dancing Muntjacs" by Joel Stockdill and "CYM Temple" by Basurama, both of which were made from recycled materials.[24] Wonderfruit's creative designer, Adam Pollina, built the event's first moving art installation - Wonder Kar, which traveled around the site.[25]

Family

Family-friendly offerings in the dedicated kids' zone included games and crafts.[2]

Talks & Workshops

Interactive activities included martial arts and parkour with local experts and there were talks on subjects including sustainability, Bitcoin and blockchain technology.[2] Wonderfruit's series of seminars, Scratch Talks, took place in new venue, Rainforest Pavilion and speakers included Trash Hero Thailand and Michaelangelo Moran - co-founder of Indonesian app, GO-JEK.[23]

Wellness & Adventures

Wellness sessions included yoga workshops, gong meditation and power naps. The program for more active participants included Muay Thai and capoeira,[26] as well as a range of fitness sessions with instructors from Guava Pass.[23]

Farm to Feasts

Food offerings included raw vegan dishes by Chef Daphne Cheng, cheesesteaks by Full Moon Food Truck, lobster rolls, sashimi and organic Thai omelets. The Wonder Feasts banquet series featured lunch by Cocotte, a reggae brunch by Jarrett Wrisley of Soul Food Mahanakorn and Paolo Vitaletti of Appia, dinner by former Thai Iron Chef contestant Chef Panupon "Black" Bulsuwan - part of F.A.C.T. Collective, and a return from Chef Gaggan Anand, who was joined by chef Daniel Chavez of Singapore's Ola Cocina del Mar.[11]

Line-up 2015

Music

Jon Hopkins x Chris Levine (iy_project), Submotion Orchestra, Rhye, Lucent Dossier Experience, Goldroom, Com Truise, Daedelus, Greasy Cafe and “Pu” Pongsit Kampee,[9] Electro Guzzi, Polycat and Win from Sqweez Animal,[3] with Thai folk music (performed at the Morlam Bus, presented by Jim Thompson Arts Center).[27]

Art

The main Living Stage was designed by Coachella and Burning Man artist Joel Stockdill, and featured spiralling bird structures either side of the proscenium.[7] Gregg Fleishman, the designer behind the Temple of Whollyness At Burning Man 2013,[28] built The Playground, incorporating climbing frames, slides and a Headis pitch on which guests played the German game - a hybrid of table tennis and football.[3] Thai installation artist, “O” Witaya Junma created an interactive bubble blower,[29] and Blossom Poetica by French-Laotian artist Aligna featured flowers sculpted from aluminium cans and other discarded materials.[7]

Design

Local and international designers showcased and sold festival gear at A Taste Of Wonder, the day-to-night fashion market.[30] The Wonder Salon offered hair and makeup treatments.[31]

Food

At the Theatre of Feasts, Wonder Feasts were presented by Gaggan Anand of Gaggan (voted number one in Asia on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list in 2015 and 2016),[32] and Bo Songvisava and Dylan Jones of Bo.lan.[7] Cocktails designed by mixologist Shingo Gokan were served in hidden bar, The Shingo Shack.[31]

Talks & Workshops

In 2015, Wonderfruit introduced Scratch Talks, a new series of seminars by international speakers. Talks included “Creativity at the Source” by Thai architect Duangrit Bunnag, and “Unleash your Legend” by Dream Rockwell - founder of Lucent Dossier Experience. John Hardy, founder of Bali’s Green School and Isabel and Melati Wijsen of Bye Bye Plastic Bags also delivered talks and eco-friendly workshops. A number of additional craft workshops took place in The Sharing Neighbourhood, including traditional skills and techniques,[31] as well as meditation, self-defense, breathing exercises and foundational yoga at the Goddess Camp.[33]

Activities and Experiences

Circus skills including hoop and poi were taught by Samui Circus Camp,[31] and guests had the opportunity to be ordained as a Latter-Day Dude Priest by the Church of Dudeism.[34] Champion free runners, Team Farang taught their skills to youngsters, among other child-friendly activities including a kids’ disco, foraging workshop and traditional kite-making, plus storytelling, magic, and a puppet show in Camp Wonder. Natural adventures included swimming in the lake and a boot camp set on an obstacle course.[33]

Line-up 2014

Music

De La Soul, Little Dragon, Woodkid, José González, Jamie Jones, Damian Lazarus, The Gaslamp Killer, Francesca Lombardo(Live), Andrew Ashong, Nick Mulvey, Hercules and Love Affair, Seth Troxler, Fat Freddy's Drop,[35] Craig Richards, Subb-An, Soul Clap, Citizen, Pillow Talk (Live), Ali Love (Live), Boris Rubin, Sunju Hargun,[36] and local Thai acts Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, Burin Boonvisut, Apartment Khun Pa and Yellow Fang.[37]

Art

Offerings included work by Thai architect, Duangrit Bunnag.[38]

Food

The inaugural banquets in the Wonder Feasts series were helmed by David Thompson, owner of Michelin-starred Nahm (London) and winner of Asia’s Best Restaurants for Nahm (Bangkok) in 2014.[39] He was joined by Paolo Vitaletti from Appia Roman Trattoria, while other food and beverage providers across the event included Never Ending Summer, Quince, Burnt Ends, Smokey Trails and the Bangkok Farmers' Market. The on-site farm offered tours and foraging workshops and Siam Winery offered wine tasting sessions.[40]

Address and Location

Wonderfruit takes place in The Fields at Siam Country Club, 50 Moo 9, Pong, Bang Lamung, Chonburi 20150, Thailand.[33]

References

  1. ↑ Koaysomboon, Top. "Wonderfruit postponed to February 2017". Timeout Bangkok. Timeout. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Smith, Andrea. "Inside Thailand's Wonderfruit Festival". Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Wonderfruit signals major growth in Thailand's fest scene". Fest300. Fest300. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  4. ↑ Coultate, Aaron. "Wonderfruit adds more names to 2014 lineup". Resident Advisor. Resident Advisor. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  5. ↑ Rish, Maddie. "In photos: Wonderfruit Festival in Pattaya, Thailand". Everfest. Everfest. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  6. ↑ Khawaja, Jemayel. "Can Wonderfruit Festival Save Thailand from EDM?". Thump. Vice Media. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Abad, Paolo. "The sights and sounds of Wonderfruit, a rising music and arts festival in Thailand". Rappler. Rappler. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  8. ↑ Prendergast, Sapphire. "Fear and Loathing in Pattaya". Myanmar Times. The Myanmar Times. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  9. 1 2 Duwe, Morena. "Exclusive Photos from Wonderfruit Festival 2015 in Thailand". Huffington Post. HPMG News. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  10. ↑ "Wonderfruit: festival revolution". Ecozine. Ecozine. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  11. 1 2 Hubbell, Diana. "This Thai Music Festival Is Serving Wagyu Tomahawks, Lobster Rolls, and Lamb Tacos". Munchies. Vice. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  12. ↑ Tamboowalla, Ayeesha. "THE WONDERS OF SUSTAINABILITY WERE EVIDENT AT THE WONDERFRUIT FESTIVAL". Festival Sherpa. Festival Sherpa. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  13. ↑ "Our ethos: what we believe and how we live it". Wonderfruit. Wonderfruit. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  14. 1 2 3 Armstrong, Eamon. "Wonderfruit: Thailand's Celebration of Sustainable Partying". Everfest. Everfest. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  15. ↑ "Wonderfruit". Wonderfruit. Scratch First. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  16. ↑ "RA Reviews: Wonderfruit Festival 2017". Resident Advisor. Resident Advisor. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  17. ↑ "Wonderfruit Festival 2017 ft Roots Manuva, Richie Hawtin, Izzy Bizu, Wild Beasts and more". Asia Live 365. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  18. 1 2 3 4 "Why Wonderfruit is the Greatest Music Festival in all of Thailand". Decorated Passport. Retrieved 26 Dec 2017.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Moha, Yadin. "WHAT IT WAS LIKE AT WONDERFRUIT 2017". City Nomads. City Nomads PTE. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  20. ↑ Bunnag, Tatat. "Into the wonder". Bangkok Post. Bangkok Post Public Company Limited. Retrieved 13 Jan 2018.
  21. 1 2 "Wonderfruit finalises 2017 jam-packed music lineup". Asia Live 365. Asia Live 365. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  22. ↑ Smith, Andrea. "A stage made from rice at Thailand's Wonderfruit festival will be eaten afterwards". Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  23. 1 2 3 Supernaut, Sarah. "WONDERFRUIT ANNOUNCES FINAL PROGRAM". Columns of Knowledge. Columns of Knowledge. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  24. ↑ Phillips, Tracy. "Wonderfruit 2017: 10 highlights from the Thai art and music festival". Buro247. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  25. ↑ "The Beautiful Gifts of Thailand's Wonderfruit Festival". No Fear of Missing Out. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  26. ↑ Ho, Kevin. "Why the Thailand music and arts festival might just be the best in Asia". The Honeycombers. Honeycombers PTE LTD. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  27. ↑ Sakaowan, Prae. "Wonderfruit delivers 4 days of hippie happiness and awesome arts". Coconuts Bangkok. Coconuts. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  28. ↑ "Gregg Fleishman, Melissa Barron, Terry Gross // The Temple of Whollyness". Sands To Ashes Movie. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  29. ↑ "Campaign funded: Into the Wind by "O" Witaya Junma". Asiola. Asiola. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  30. ↑ Razon, Katrina. "In review: Thailand's Wonderfruit Festival Experience". Pulse Radio. Pulse Radio. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  31. 1 2 3 4 "Wonderfruit, Thailand's premiere eco-friendly, globally conscious festival returns for triumphant second year". Let's Fest. Let's Fest. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  32. ↑ "Asia's 50 best". The World's 50 Best. William Reed Business Media. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  33. 1 2 3 "Wonderfruit Festival: Hippest Festival in Asia". Our Awesome Planet. Our Awesome Planet. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  34. ↑ Warner, Alicia. "Wonderfruit: sounds, experiences and promise of wonder like no other". Music Weekly. Music Services. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  35. ↑ Corner, Lewis. "De La Soul, Little Dragon and Woodkid for Wonderfruit Festival". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  36. ↑ "Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler, Soul Clap, De La Soul, fat Freddy's Drop, More @ Wonderfruit Festival, Thailand". Bhavishyavani Future Sounds. Future Co. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  37. ↑ "De La Soul, Woodkid, Jose Gonzales + More added to Wonderfruit Festival line-up". I House U. I House U. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  38. ↑ Beanland, Christopher. "Top 10 Music Festivals for Winter Breaks". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  39. ↑ Holroyd, Jane. "David Thompson's Nahm restaurant named Asia's best". Good Food. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  40. ↑ "Michelin Chef at Wonderfruit". Food and Travel. Food and Travel.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.