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Contact: Ceraukstes str. 18, Riga, LV 1004, Latvia.
e-mail: inara@zafte.lv
Born: 26.12.1965, Tukums, Latvia.
Education: 1986 -1992 – Art Academy of Latvia, Stage Design department
1991 – T. O’Brien’s stage design workshop, London
1980 - 1985 – Riga Secondary School of Applied Arts
1972 - 1980 – Tukums 1st secondary school
Work experience:
Since 2015 – freelance designer - scenography, theatre costumes, fashion and interior design.
2009 - 2015 – Latvian National opera – Head of Set Construction and Repair department.
2008 - 2015 – Design group „Zafte” ltd - board member.
2007 – freelance designer.
2006 - Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Latvia – design director of NATO Riga summit.
2000 - 2005 – design and architecture magazine „DEKO” – stylist and journalist.
2001 - 2002 –Ministry of Foreign affairs of the Republic of Latvia – interior architect.
1999 - 2001 – architect bureau “Postformprojekts - Riga” ltd. – interior designer.
1996 - 1999 – Valmiera Drama theatre – chief designer.
1994 - 1996 – freelance stage designer - Latvian National Opera, Latvian National Theatre, Valmiera Drama theatre, other.
1992 - 1994 – „Youth Theatre” ltd – design director.
1991 - 1992 – Riga Secondary School of Applied Arts – painting teacher.
1989 -1991 – State Youth theatre – costume designer.
Stage and costumes (selected):
2017 – ballet „The Blue Danube” – J.Strauss, chor. A.Leimanis, Latvian National Opera and Ballet.
2015 – ballet „Raymonda” – A.Glazunov, chor. A.Leimanis, Latvian National Opera and Ballet.
2015 – opera „Sprīdītis” – J.Mediņš, stage dir. U.Brikmanis, opera studio “Figaro”
2015 – concert performance „Tango” – accordionist Ksenia Sidorova, chor. K.Burlov, Latvijas Koncerti.
2015 – commercial video “Vikings” for “Ifolor” with “Baltic Pine films”.
2014 – concert performance „Sound of Music” – Richard Rodgers, stage dir. Dace Volfarte, Latvian National Opera and Ballet.
2012 – ballet „Bayadere” – L.Minkus, chor. A.Leimanis, Latvian National Opera and Ballet.
Award for 2011/2012 season’s best performance.
Nomination for „Best Costume Designer” at annual Theatre Awards of Latvia.
2010 – ballet „Sleeping Beauty” – Tchaikovsky, chor. A.Leimanis, Latvian National Opera and Ballet.
2009 – ballet „Coppelia” – L.Delibes, chor. A.Leimanis, Latvian National Opera and Ballet.
2008 – ballet „Diaghilev. Fantasies” – chor. P.Anastos, Lithuanian National Opera, Vilnius.
2008 – ballet „Fountain of Bakhchisarai” – B.Asafyev, chor. A.Leimanis, Latvian National Opera and Ballet.
2007 – ballet „Les Gems” - chor. P.Anastos, Latvian National Opera and Ballet.
2006 – ballet „Giselle” – A.Adam, chor. A.Leimanis, Latvian National Opera and Ballet.
1989 -1999 – about 50 professional theatre productions – Latvian National opera, Valmiera Drama theatre, Latvian National theatre, Riga Russian theatre, Liepaja theatre, Riga Youth theatre, Daile theatre, Kabata theatre, etc.
Concept projects:
2009 – design project RECYCLED.LV – multiple fashion and spatial installation collections made of unwanted stuff – with Ingrida Zabere (now Anna Aizsilniece)
Exhibitions and professional awards:
2015 – “ZIG – Zipped by Inara Gauja” in Gusum, Sweden
2014 – “8:45” at the art project „Survival Kit”, LCCA (Latvian Contemporary Art Centre), Riga.
2012 – „The Classics. Personal archeology” - solo exhibition of installations at former Tobacco Factory, Riga
2009 – Fashion and installation exposition of the project „Recycled.lv” – at „The Second Chance” design competition of Designers Union of Latvia - the GRAND PRIX
2009 – „Boutique Fashion Recycled” – „Recycled.lv” fashion exhibition and show during art project „Survival Kit”, LCAC (Latvian Contemporary Art Centre) in Riga.
2009 – „Recycled.lv” fashion and installation exhibition in gallery „Durvis”, Tukums.
2008 – The annual award of Latvian Designer’s Society for second best private interior in Latvia.
2008 – Installation for group exhibition „Secret” in Latvian Doll Museum, Riga.
2008 – Group exhibition „Slippers” in gallery „Istaba”, Riga.
2007 – Group exhibition „Brooms and dustpans” in gallery „Istaba”, Riga.
2000 – Solo exhibition “Scenography” in gallery “Durvis”, Tukums.
1999 – Group exhibition at Prague Scenography Quadrennial “PQ-99”, in Prague, Czechia.
1998 – International exhibition “Nationality in Stage Design” in Haifa, Israel.
1998 – International stage design exhibition “Illusion-98” Yvaskylla, Finland.
1995 – Prague Scenography Quadrennial “PQ-95”, in Prague, Czechia.
1989 – Diploma in Scenography Triennial of Baltics, Vilnius, Lithuania.
1988 – Installation for group exhibition on ‘silent movies’ of international Cinema forum „Arsenal” in St.Peter’s church, Riga.
1987 – Installation for group exhibition of young artists „Top Side” in Anglican church, Riga.
Interior (selected):
2017 – Private apartment renovation on R.Blaumaņa str. Riga
2017 – Private apartment renovation on Bauskas str. Riga
2016 – Studio apartment renovation on Gulbju str. Riga
2012 – JSC Energofirma "JAUDA" – office interiors.
2012 – Private house renovation interiors on Daibes str., Riga
2011 – 2013 – spatial in-store advertising installations for shopping mall “Spice”, Riga
2010 – Mural paintings for restaurant “Rolands”, old town of Riga.
2006 – NATO Riga summit - design guidelines and supervision of the venue interiors.
2005 – Private house renovation interiors in Pinki, Latvia
2005 – Embassy of Latvia in USA, Washington - representation interiors.
2002 – Embassy of Latvia in Denmark, Copenhagen – representation interiors.
2002 – Embassy of Latvia in Lithuania, Vilnius – several rooms.
2003 – insurance group „Balta” - the interior and exterior part of corporate identity guidelines - with advertising company „Adell Saatchi & Saatchi”, Latvia.
2002 – interior color sample book for paint producer “Vivacolor” - with advertising company „Adell Saatchi & Saatchi”, Latvia.
2000 - 2011 – private house and apartment interiors in Jūrmala, Ādaži and Riga, Latvia.
Corporate clothing:
2015 – choir Svīri, Jaunsvirlauka, Latvia.
2011 – medieval style restaurant “Livonija”, Riga.
2010 – fish restaurant “Zilā Govs”, Riga.
2009 – 18th century style restaurant “Black Magic”, Riga
2008 – concept restaurant “Dada”, Riga
2007 – medieval style restaurant “Rozengrāls”, Riga
2007 – restaurant “Red Fred”, Riga
Publications, interviews:
2017 – “100 Labi Padomi”#12. Anita Pīra. Nobružātā šika estētika.
2017 – “Ievas Virtuve” #9. Anita Pīra. Padomju Maroka.
2017 – “Deko” #04. Anita Pīra. Otra elpa.
2012 – “Latvijas Avīze”. Aija Kaukule. Ināras Gaujas krāšņā niša.
2009 – “Dizaina Studija” #19. Anna Iltnere. Gatavs valkāšanai atkal.
1992 – “Teātra Vēstnesis”. Vilnis Vējš. Teātrī jāmeklē saprašanās.
Works in collections:
Latvian Art Fund, Riga –stage design project for poetry show „Distant Spirits in Nearly Evening…” for theatre „Kabata”, Riga.
The memorial museum of writer R.Blaumanis – stage design model for production of „The sins of Trine” in Valmiera Drama theatre.
The private collections in Riga and London – paintings.