MARTINS VILKARSIS
EN
Since 2001, with the production of The youngest brother’s summer at the New Riga Theatre when the stage sky was composed of upside down buckets, Latvian theatre is inconceivable without Martins Vilkarsis.
He graduated from Latvian Academy of Arts majoring in Designer graphics and Scenography. Mārtiņš Vilkārsis considers Aleksandrs Dembo and Andris Freibergs his greatest teachers. Already during his first season he was nominated for the Latvian Theatre Award - Stage Designer of the Year. Over the following ten years, he has received the award five times. Martins has designed and built sets for almost all Latvian theatres (with the exception of Daugavlis and Puppet theatres), as well as for a number of productions in Lithuania, Estonia, Russia and Kazakhstan. He has made sets for very large (i.e. Daugava Sports Stadium) and very small stages. The most famous plays of Shakespeare, Chekhov, Blaumanis and many others have been transferred by Martins to different times. On average he designs ten productions a year.
Martins Vilkarsis is aesthete. He likes exquisite and stylistically pure space. Be it Hedda Gabler’s amber room or many shades of black in Idiot, or the colourful white of Amadeus, or grey as in Orpheus’ Underworld. Or the paintings that come alive in the sets of CV and In Fire.
Martins Vilkarsis speaks in symbols. Romeo and Juliet. Myth main characters love and die in a giant aquarium, in Heirs of Sand the roof of the house flaps its wings, but in the mythical world of Blow the Wind! the tree branches are swaying and waves are breaking against the river bank. Norwegian fiord finds itself in the intimately built small stage, and the chimneys, puffing real smoke, of the old Grizinkalns factory on the big stage. Ophelia’s grave under the carpet of the library.
Martins Vilkarsis likes genuine and fine things: details that can be seen only by the actors and professional techniques that trick the audience. Swallow’s nest on the wall, a little bird flies over the stage, and trees suddenly lose their tops.
Martins Vilkarsis is a team player. Most of the time he works together with Ilze Vitolina or Anna Heinrihsone, the costume designers and Igor Kapustin or Mārtiņš Feldmanis, lighting designer. From 2001 he has created all sets for Olgerts Kroders’ productions. He has worked with Boris Eifman on a number of ballet productions. Most of this century productions by Dž. Dž. Džilindžers un Rolandas Atkochiunas, as well as a number of Roman Kozak, Indra Roga, Mihails Gruzdovs, Lauris Gundars productions would have not been the same without Martins’ outlook.
He mentioned in an interview that the designer has to become the director’s eyes. A production viewed through Martins Vilkarsis’ eyes is colourful and unpredictable.
Līga Ulberte, Dr. artis
CV
Martins Vilkarsis
Born on July 7, 1969, in Jelgava, Latvia
AWARDS
Latvian Theatre Award Performance Night – Theatre Designer of the Year 2010/2011
The Great Music Award 2009 performance of the year A. Oneger Joan of Arc, The State Choir Latvija
Latvian Theatre Award Performance Night – Theatre Designer of the Year 2007/2008 g.
Newspaper Diena 2007. Award in culture for the production Idiot, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders Valmiera Drama Theatre
Latvian Theatre Award Performance Night – Theatre Designer of the Year 2006/2007 g.
Latvian Theatre Award Performance Night – Theatre Designer of the Year 2005/2006 g.
Latvian Theatre Award Performance Night – Theatre Designer of the Year 2003/2004 g.
Scenography
2018
I’m 30, Dir. Ināra Slucka, The Latvian National Theatre, 2018
Antonia # Silmachi, ballet, choreographer Aivars Leimanis, The Latvian National Opera and Ballet, 2018
Jerusalem, Dir. Laura Groza-Ķibere, The Dailes Theatre, 2018
Crimes of the Heart, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas, The Dailes Theatre, 2018
2017
The Admirer No. 1, Dir. Gundars Silakaktiņš, The Dailes Theatre, 2017
The Unfinished Wedding, Dir. Varis Brasla, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2017
The Celebration, Dir. Alexander Morfov, The Dailes Theatre, 2017
Hedda Gabler, Dir. Laura Groza-Ķibere, Liepāja Theatre, 2017
The Rose of Turaida, opera, Dir. Ināra Slucka, The Latvian National Opera and Ballet, 2017
Carmen, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas, The Dailes Theatre, 2017
The Portrait of Dorian Gray, Dir. Laura Groza-Ķibere, The Dailes Theatre, 2017
The Legend of the Great Schemer, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas, Lithuanian Russian Drama Theatre (Lithuania), 2017
2016
Joan of Arc, Dir.Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, The Dailes Theatre, 2016
The Garnet Bracelet, Dir. Mihails Gruzdovs, The Dailes Theatre, 2016
The Minor House in Hemp (“The Forest”), Dir. Indra Roga, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2016
The Visit, Dir. Aleksey Girba (Russia), Liepāja Theatre, 2016
Photograph 51, Dir. Laura Groza-Ķibere, Liepāja Theatre, 2016
Coo - Coo, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas, Lithuanian National Drama Theatre (Lithuania), 2016
The Elephant Man, Dir. Laura Groza-Ķibere, Liepāja Theatre, 2016
2015
The Bat, operetta, Dir. Edmunds Freibergs, The Latvian National Opera and Ballet, 2015
The Exhibition Paintings, ballet, choreographers M.Komarova, A.Freimans, A.Astreina, E.Leimane, R.Martinovs, The Latvian National Opera and Ballet, 2015
The Autumn Blues, Dir. Varis Brasla, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2015
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Dir. Alexander Morfov, The Dailes Theatre, 2015
Latia, Dir. Varis Brasla, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2015
Frankenstein, Dir. Laura Groza-Ķibere, The Dailes Theatre, 2015
Silver Light, Dir. Mihails Gruzdovs, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2015
Master and Margarita, Dir. Indra Roga, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2015
The Paradise, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Liepāja Theatre, 2015
Manon Lescaut, Dir. Ināra Slucka, The Latvian National Opera and Ballet, 2015
Two Naked Men, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Liepāja Theatre, 2015
The Cripple of Inishmaan, Dir. Regnārs Vaivars, Liepāja Theatre, 2015
2014
1984, Dir. Laura Groza-Ķibere, Liepāja Theatre, 2014
The Bedbug, Dir. Dāvis Auškāps, The Latvian National Theatre, 2014
Madame Bovary, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas, The Dailes Theatre, 2014
Singles, Dir. Regnārs Vaivars, The Dailes Theatre, 2014
Fog, Dir. Indra Roga, The Latvian National Theatre, 2014
Zoyka’s Apartment, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas, Lithuanian Russian Drama Theatre (Lithuania), 2014
Cabaret, Dir. Indra Roga, The Latvian National Theatre, 2014
The Great Gatsby, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Liepāja Theatre, 2014
Five Evenings, Dir. Leons Leščinskis, Liepāja Theatre, 2014
Ashes of the Sun, Dir. Fēlikss Deičs, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2014
Decameron in the Style of spa, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Liepāja Theatre, 2014
Identical Blood, Dir. Mārtiņš Vilkārsis, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2014
2013
Piaf, Dir. Laura Groza-Ķibere, Liepāja Theatre, 2013
Doctor Zhivago, Dir. Indra Roga, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2013
Karlsson Is Flying, ballet, choreographer Aivars Leimanis, The Latvian National Opera and Ballet, 2013
M.Butterfly, Dir. Laura Groza-Ķibere, The Dailes Theatre, 2013
Onegin, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, The Dailes Theatre, 2013
The Count of Luxembourg, Dir. Igor Konaev, St.Petersburg State Theatre of Musical Comedy (Russia), 2013
Hunter Stories, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas, Lithuanian National Drama Theatre (Lithuania), 2013
2012
Bury Me Under the Floor, director Regnārs Vaivars, The Dailes Theatre, 2012
Tramp’s Prayer, director Varis Brasla, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2012
The Dancing Master, Dir. Igor Konayev, Moscow's Lenkom Theatre (Russia), 2012
Finita la comedia, Dir. Aleksandr Morfov (Bulgaria), Dailes Theatre, 2012
Zoya's apartment, Dir. Indra Roga, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2012
Jasmin, Dir. Māra Ķimele, Miltinis Drama Theatre (Panevezhis Lithuania), 2012
Without a Dowry, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2012
The Real Thing, Dir. Mihails Gruzdovs, Dailes Theatre, 2012
Trine’s Sins, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas (Lithuania), Dailes Theatre, 2012
2011
Tale of the Penny – 2012, Dir. Pauls Timrots, Dailes Theatre, 2011
Good blood, Dir. Mihails Gruzdovs, Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre, 2011
Silver Skates, Dir. Edmunds Freibergs, Latvian National Theatre, 2011
Blow, the Wind, musical, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Liepaja Theatre, 2011
Family Matters, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas (Lithuania), Liepaja Theatre, 2011
Orpheus Descends, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2011
Divas, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Dailes Theatre, 2011
Amadeus, Dir. Jans Vilems van den Boss (Great Britain), Dailes Theatre, 2011
Adam’s Story, Dir. Indra Roga, Latvian National Theatre, 2011
Cloudy, soon to clear, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2011
Hananna, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas (Lithuania), .Juozo Miltinio Drama Theatre (Panevėžys, Lithuania), 2011
Abel and Olga, Dir. Mihails Gruzdovs, Dailes Theatre, 2011
The Republic of Crow Street, Dir. Laura Groza, Dailes Theatre, 2011
2010
Ceplis, musical, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas (Lithuania), Dailes Theatre, 2010
Tailor Time in Silmači, Dir. Indra Roga, Latvian National Theatre, 2010
Marriage of Figaro, opera, Dir. Indra Roga, Vanemuine Theatre (Tartu, Estonia), 2010
Red Zhizel, ballet, Choreographer Boris Eifman (Russia), Kazakhstan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre (Almaty, Kazakhstan), 2010
From the Sweet Bottle, Dir. Fēliks Deičs, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2010
In Fire, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas (Lithuanina), Liepaja Theatre, 2010
Tomorrow is my Wedding, Dir. Mihails Gruzdovs, Dailes Theatre, 2010
Hananna, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Liepaja Theatre, 2010
Code of Versailles (Moliere), Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas (Lithuania), Dailes Theatre, 2010
Scatterbraines (Gaisa grābekļi) Dir. Kārlis Auškāps, Dailes Theatre, 2010 patsy
Maria Stuart, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders,Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2010
2009
Mouse trap,Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2009
Suicide (Finita la Comedia), Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas (Lithuania), Liepaja Theatre, 2009
Little Marriage Crimes, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas (Lithuania), Dailes Theatre, 2009
Anna Louise and Anton (Pünktchen und Anton), Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Dailes Theatre, 2009
Lācis, Dir. Indra Roga, Latvian National Theatre, 2009
Pyjamas for Six, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas (Lithuania), Liepaja Theatre, 2009
1906. Wilder than 1905, Dir. Gatis Šmits, Latvian National Theatre, 2009
Fernando Krapp Wrote me this Letter, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Moscow A. Pushkin Drama Theatre (Moscow, Russia), 2009
Anna Karenina, ballet, Choreograph Boriss Eifman (Rusia), Tokyo New National Opera (Tokyo, Japan), 2009
Joan of Arc, oratorio, Conductor Māris Sirmais, Dir. Indra Roga, The State Choir Latvija, 2009, The Great Music Award
The Cherry Orchard, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2009
The Gambler, Dir. Roman Kozak (Russia), Dailes Theatre, 2009
Duck Hunting, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Liepaja Theatre, 2009
2008
The Indrāni, Dir. Māra Ķimele, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2008
Family Stories (Porodične priče),, Dir. Mihails Gruzdovs, Dailes Theatre, 2008
My Wife's Name is Maurice, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas (Lithuania), Dailes Theatre, 2008
The XXIV All-Latvian Song and XIV Dance Festival, Dir. Māra Ķimele, Daugava Sports Stadium, 2008
All about women, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas (Lithuania), Liepaja Theatre, 2008
Arabian Nights, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas (Lithuania), Liepaja Theatre, 2008
Home, Dir. Indra Roga, Latvian National Theatre, 2008
Bullets over Broadway, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Dailes Theatre, 2008
The Seagull (Chayka), Dir. Mihails Gruzdovs, Dailes Theatre, 2008
Till Spring, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2008
Hamlet, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2008
2007
Yvonne, Princess of Burgundy, Dir. Romāns Kozaks (Russia), Dailes Theatre, 2007
Anna Karenina, Ballet, choreography Boris Eifman (Russia), Latvian National Opera, 2007
CV. Uncle Vanya, Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas (Lithuania), Liepaja Theatre, 2007
Lolita, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Dailes Theatre, 2007
Stone Nest, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2007
Intim, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Dailes Theatre, 2007
Killer’s Diary, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Liepaja Theatre, 2007
2006
King Lear, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2006
No Exit (Huis Clos), Dir. Rolandas Atkočiūnas (Lithuania), Liepaja Theatre, 2006
The Libertine, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Dailes Theatre, 2006
Lady without Camellies, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Liepaja Theatre, 2006
Idiot, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre
2005
The Ghost’s Sonata, Dir. Saulius Varnas (Lithuania), Dailes Theatre, 2005
Caligula, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Dailes Theatre, 2005
The Lady from the Sea, Dir. Saulius Varnas (Lithuania), Fifth Theatre - Omsk Chamber Theatre (Russia), 2005
The Odd Couple, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2005
Striptease, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Dailes Theatre, 2005
Melancholic Waltz, Dir. Dž.Dž.Džilindžers, Dailes Theatre, 2005
Hedda Gabler, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2005
The Old Ladies, Dir. Varis Brasla, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2005
Binkle and Flip, Dir. Varis Brasla, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2005
2004
Mr Puntila and his Man Matti, Dir. Agris Krūmiņš, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2004
Klondike, musical, Dir. Mihails Gruzdovs, Dailes Theatre, 2004
Tailor Days in Simači, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2004
Little Raven, Dir. Māra Ķimele, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2004
Don Quixote, Ballet, Choreograph Aivars Leimanis, Latvian National Opera, 2004
Love as a diagnosis, Dir. Vladimir Petrov (Russia), Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre, 2004
2003
Romeo and Juliet. Myth, Dir. Gaļina Poliščuka, Liepaja Theatre, 2003
The same Old Ash Trees, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2003
Magnificent Cuckold, Dir. Vasily Senin (Russia), Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre, 2003
Uncle Vanya, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2003
Little Red Riding Hood, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2003
The Trap, Dir. Varis Brasla, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2003
2002
Mrs. Minister, Dir. Varis Brasla, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2002
Summer and Smoke, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Valmiera Drama Theatre, 2002
Tiritomba or golden fish, Dir. Lauris Gundars, Teātris TT, 2002
The Importance of Being Earnest, Dir. Mihail Mamedov (Russia), Dailes Theatre, 2002
A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur, Dir. Genady Trostinecky (Russia), Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre, 2002
The Theatre, Dir. Oļģerts Kroders, Latvian National Theatre, 2002
2001
Cheese and Marmalade, Dir. Imants Jaunzems, Dailes Theatre, 2001
The Youngest Brother’s Summer, Dir. Lauris Gundars, Riga new Theatre, 2001
MAIN EXHIBITIONS
Prague Quadrennial, Prague, Czheck Republic, 2003
Personal exhibition Absolutely cool, art gallery “Čiris”, Riga, 2001
Personal exhibition Not to be Boring, art gallery “Bastejs”, Riga, 000
Personal exhibition Latvian Underwater Globes, art gallery “Čiris”, Riga,1999
Personal exhibition Porthole, art gallery “Čiris”, Riga,1998
Personal exhibition Audit in the Barn, art gallery “Čiris”, Riga,1998
Personal exhibition “i”, art gallery “Melnais balodis”, Riga, 1997
Personal exhibition Only Water, art gallery “Čiris”, Riga, 1998
WORK EXPERIENCE
Freelancer 2011 – up to now
Art Director, Dailes Theatre 2010 - 2011
Chief Designer, Dailes Theatre 2007- 2010
Advertising Director, Dailes Theatre 2004 - 2007
Chief Designer, Riga Russian Theatre 2003 - 2004
Advertising Director, Dailes Theatre 2001 - 2002
STUDIES
Art Academy of Latvia, Prof. A.Freibergs master class in scenography 1999 - 2001
Art Academy of Latvia, Prof. A.Dembo master class in designer-graphics 1993 - 1995
Art Academy of Latvia, Department of Designer-Graphics 1989 - 1993