Claudia Bellasi
Claudia Bellasi is a director, artist, cultural worker, and performance enthusiast with a deep passion for the transformative power of the arts. As the artistic co-director of the Asfaltart Street Art Festival in Merano, she plays a key role in curating and shaping one of Italy’s most vibrant international festivals of street performance. With a background in circus arts and performance, Claudia has worked extensively in artistic and social projects around the world.
Her experience includes participation in the Sarajevo Winter Festival shortly after the war, performing with the "Giullari senza frontiere" (Jesters Without Borders) in underprivileged communities in Brazil, and teaching circus arts in Algeria as part of an international project for children from ethnic minorities.
As a filmmaker, Claudia co-directed and wrote the screenplay for The Guardian of Stories, a documentary filmed in Laos that explores the preservation of traditional oral storytelling through the art of puppet theater.
Through ArtenlaMondo, Claudia continues to explore the intersection of art and society. She engages with performers, musicians, and storytellers from different cultures, documenting their creative processes and sharing their unique perspectives with a global audience. Whether directing a festival, filming a documentary, or leading a workshop, Claudia’s work is driven by a belief in the power of artistic expression to connect people and inspire change.
Markus Steiner Ender
Markus Steiner Ender is a director, filmmaker, photographer, and musician with a keen eye for capturing the essence of performance art. His work focuses on visual storytelling, particularly in the realm of street theater, puppetry, and cultural heritage. As part of the team behind the Asfaltart Street Art Festival, Markus is responsible for digital communication, photography, and online media, ensuring that the festival’s artistic vibrancy reaches a wide audience.
As a filmmaker, Markus co-directed The Guardian of Stories, a documentary filmed in Laos that explores the preservation of traditional storytelling through the lens of puppet theater. His expertise in cinematography and storytelling plays a crucial role in bringing artistic and cultural narratives to life on screen.
Over the years, Markus has developed a strong focus on performance photography. His 2019 exhibition, "A Family on Theater Wheels", documented the life and work of the Italian street theater family Girovago e Rondella, while his photography series at the Die Gerberei art gallery in 2022 showcased the Spanish puppet theater group Zero en Conducta.
Together with Claudia, Markus co-founded ArtenlaMondo, a platform dedicated to documenting the world of performing arts and cultural storytelling. His passion for visual narratives and cultural exploration continues to drive his work, as he captures the richness of artistic traditions and the people who keep them alive.
