11 October 2025 – 10 am-4pm

We are excited to host an exciting experimental installation and performance at Newlands House Gallery: Phytophones.

Saturday 11 October 2025
Exhibition
10:00 am – 4:00pm
Artists Talk and Performance
12:00pm – 1:30pm

Phytophones is an artistic collaboration between percussionist Wannapha Yannavut and composer Alexandros Spyrou, focused on integrating sustainable practices into the composition and performance of contemporary art music. The project explores new sonic and aesthetic possibilities by using renewable materials, green artistic practices, and intercultural musical references. It aims to foster dialogue on the issue of climate change, engage diverse communities in the United Kingdom and Thailand, and serve as a model of artistic sustainability.

The project is funded by the Connections Through Culture Grants of the British Council Thailand

Phytophones is a collaboration between percussionist Wannapha Yannavut and composer Alexandros Spyrou. It integrates sustainable practices into contemporary music, using renewable materials and green artistic methods to create new sounds and aesthetics. The project aims to develop dialogue on climate change and engage communities in the UK and Thailand.

Phytophones performance

The Phytophones performance is a live, interdisciplinary event. Sonic objects made from renewable materials will be installed and played as percussive instruments. Fitted with piezoelectric transducers, these objects will amplify delicate sounds, which will be transformed into experimental textures through real-time processing. Inspired by John Cage’s focus on environmental chance and Bruno Latour’s actor-network theory, the performance views instruments as “quasi-subjects” that reshape the interaction between performers, audience, and materials.

Artists:

Wannapha Yannavut: Percussionist, artist/lecturer of percussion at Mahidol University College of Music, director of the Integrated Percussion Ensemble, and Principal Timpanist of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra.

Alexandros Spyrou: Composer, sound artist, and academic, whose work includes chamber and orchestral music, sound art, and electronic media. Spyrou is currenly Dean at College of Music at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy.

Exhibition 10:00 am

Artists Talk 12:00 pm

Performance 1:00 pm

Tickets:

General Admission: £25