The aims were clear from the outset: to build a platform for artists to be able to connect and collaborate with each other, to host curated transformative experiences, to showcase art works to an attentive audience, and to keep discovering emerging creative talents. After a decade of facilitating and producing more than 200 projects which fulfilled these aims, Wêreld’s current main project is the development of artist retreat spaces and artist residencies.
We believe that the flow of creativity in a community is directly related to the flourishing of societies, and we can think of no higher goal than to create inspiring, restful, beautiful spaces in which artists from all over the world can regenerate, reflect, connect and create new works which can be taken back into the world. Wêreld is partly a public benefit organisation, with a mission to develop the skills and enrich the education of artists from all communities through an interrelated series of programmes.
Jaco van der Merwe is a multi-disciplinary artist and educator, with a master’s degree (cum laude) in Audiovisual Communication from the University of Johannesburg, and is currently the Head Of Department at Open Window Film Arts. Jaco’s diverse artistic projects over the past 27 years stretch across many genres and worlds including exploits as creative director, poet, filmmaker, lecturer, workshop-host, presenter, musician, rapper, producer, director, editor and curator. His electro-rap band Bittereinder won two SAMAs (South African Music Awards) for Best Alternative Albums in 2011 and 2015, and he has performed on hundreds of festival stages across the world. Jaco is an experienced and energetic collaborator who finds deep reward in empowering others on their creative journeys.
Christa Badenhorst is a textile and ceramic artist, surface designer, former lecturer at the Tshwane University of Technology, mother, and project manager. In 2015 Christa developed a range of innovative textile vessels as part of her master’s degree in Textile Design, which she holds cum laude. This work led to her selection as one of the artists in the Emerging Creatives programme at the 2015 Design Indaba. Christa has a deep sensitivity for creating spaces where holistic well-being can exist and grow, and where creative inspiration can be renewed.
Phomolo Sekamotho, better known as Flex of He & I, is a South African artist that incorporates spoken word poetry into live music. His craft has led him to performances and workshop-hosting experiences all across Southern Africa, the USA and Europe. Phomolo is also the co-founder and director of Hear My Voice, a non-profit organisation that foregrounds African voices and uncensored spaces. HMV has been directly involved in partnering with dozens of international programmes and foundations to send South African spoken word artists to the world, and to host international artists in South Africa. Recently appointed artistic director of an agricultural space, Naledi Farm, Phomolo believes the role is a continuation of his journey of servitude, discovery and creativity.
During the course of his career, Pluto Panoussis has been an architect, a designer, an illustrator, a writer, and a filmmaker. He has directed a number of award-winning productions, which span a range of media, including film, television and the stage. He has co-written and directed two television series, exhibited as a fine artist and is creator of the social commentary cartoon strip ‘Skaapstad’. He has been a judge on the panels of the National Press Club Newsmaker of the Year and the Silwerskerm Festival. He has been invited to present papers at various gatherings, most recently at the Adobe Education Summit in Barcelona. He started the School of Film Arts at The Open Window where he served as Dean of Academics for a while. iMPAC (the Initiative for Motion Pictures within the African Continent), founded by him in 2009, is part of his ongoing commitment towards fostering a culture of exploration in the moving image and its intersection with other cross-creative disciplines.
Wêreld NPC reg no: 2022/636537/08
Wêreld NPO reg no: 300-568 NPO
