Watch/Read: Studio Wantia at Hof van Cartesius

Photo U?

For U? 2024, Hof van Cartesius presents a diverse program created together with the artists that are located in this unique circular workspace for creative entrepreneurs.

Photographer Rogier Boogaard documented two artists who will be part of this year's festival program. First up: Sophie Wantia.

Inside of a studio space, Sophie Wantia is working on her laptop on a big table. There are many decorations on the wall in the space as well.

Sophie Wantia is the founder of Studio Wantia, a creative design studio located at Hof van Cartesius. Her work showcases a strong sense of playfulness where she experiments with her obsession and passion for color, material, and shape.

Creating visionary and playful experiences through patterns is key to her designs.

The photo on the left features a phone with Sophie's work. On the right, it's a photo with Sophie's face.

Her work has been shown through different platforms including Amsterdam Fashion Week and Dutch Design Week.

Beautiful waste

Beautiful waste is part of an ongoing research called Moving Patterns. Studio Wantia is researching the relationship between prints and Extended Reality. From experimentation and prototype development, it explores how static 2D prints and objects can come to life by adding interaction and playful movement from the digital world.

surrounded by leaves, sophie is sipping her coffee in the middle of the photo, while looking out of the window.

On Saturday, 9 November, you can visit the installation on the "Daktuin" (roof garden). For this project she uses waste materials to create objects, which are presented as if they are growing in the field.

Hof van Cartesius

Hof van Cartesius is based on a green and sustainable concept where the pavilions were built around a green collective courtyard. Inside the Hof van Cartesius, you can find more than 110 members who also take part in the design, management, and programming of Hof van Cartesius. On Saturday, 9 November, several events are taking place, including workshops, art installations, music performances, and more.

View the full photo series here.

In 2023, visitors of Le Guess Who? had the option to compensate the CO2 emissions of their trip to Utrecht when buying their festival ticket. Additionally, Le Guess Who? itself annually compensates CO2 emissions from air travel of festival artists.

Together with Nature and Environment Federation Utrecht, a partner of Le Guess Who? since 2022, these funds were invested in the construction of a sustainable green roof at Hof van Cartesius. This installation of Studio Wantia is located at this roof.