bley.aija@gmail.com

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  1. Aija Bley 

    +371 29455955

    bley.aija@gmail.com

    EDUCATION

    2024–present – Art Academy of Latvia, MA studies in Textile Art

    2019–2022 – Art Academy of Latvia, MA in Printmaking

    2016–2018 – Art Academy of Latvia, MA in Visual Communication

    1995–1997 – Latvian Academy of Culture, BA in Film Directing

    1991–1994 – Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, BA in Festival Directing

    participation in workshops:

    2016   Arnold van Bruggen, Anoek Steketee: Long-term Documentary Projects

    2016   ISSP International Masterclass of photojournalism (Yuri Kozyrev & Andrei

                  Polikanov)

    2013   Photography studies in ISSP, LV;

    2013   Jan Grarup photography masterclass;

    2013   Niko Baumgarten book creation masterclass;

    2012    Simon Norfolk photography masterclass;

    2012   Jodie Bieber photography masterclass;

    2011   Workshop with Sarah Leen and Bill Marr (National Geographic Magazine) Documentary Photo Essay, Latvia;

    2011   International Summer School of Photography – ISSP Workshop “Creative documentary: Using reality to create personal fiction” by Claudine Doury (FR);

    2010   International Summer School of Photography – ISSP Workshop “Documentary Practice and Narrative: The Long Term Project” by George Georgiou (UK);

    SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

    2024 – Ne putni ne zvēri, Roja & Salacgrīva, Latvia

    2020   "ZERO Waste", Chamber gallery, Riga, Latvia

    2018   “D27”, Gallery of Contemporary Art Nr.9, Riga, Latvia

    2017   “ Flowers and Lovers”, Gallery of Contemporary Art Nr.9, Riga, Latvia

    2016   “Dreamers”, Gallery of Contemporary Art, Livani, Latvia

    2015   “Love stories”, Riga Art Space, Latvia

    2014   “Workshop of Portret”, Kanepes Culture centre Riga, Latvia

    2012   “Later”, Museum of Photography, Riga, Latvia

     2006 – Deal with Time, Andrejsala, Riga

    2002–2003 – Paris Walks / Running Frog, NOASS Gallery, Riga

    SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

    2025 – Scream, Mark Rothko Art Centre, Daugavpils

    2024 – Dust, 'Starptelpa' Festival, Riga Circus

    2023 – Ritual, Riga Art Space

    2022 – New Eyes, Joseph Le Palais Gallery, Paris; SUPER S / Pop-up, Budapest

    2020    "Memory" Gallery "Aminori", Riga, Latvia

    2019    “Eating Pineapples on the Moon”, Riga Photomonth, Latvia

    2017    “Beyond ‘91”, CLB Berlin, Germany

    2017   “ THEY” Museum of Photography, Riga, Latvia

    2016   “ NON FASHION”, Contemporary Art Center, Minsk, Belarus

    2016   “ OMEGA3”, Mooste, Estonia

    2016   “Territories, Borders and Check-Points”, Riga Photomonth, Latvia

    2016   “1st International Photography Symposium” Mark Rothko Arts Centre, Daugavpils, Latvia

    2014   “Riga self/portraits”, Tobacco factory,Riga, Latvia

    2013   “Translating the References”, The Centre of

                Contemporary Arts, Latvia

    2012   “9 Months”, Riga Kanepe Culture Centre, Latvia

    2012    Contemporary Art Festival “Survival KIT 4, Riga, Latvia

    2012   Participation in the group photo exhibition “9 months” with a multimedia

                  project “Good Luck”, Riga, Latvia

    2011   Participation in the Contemporary Art Festival "Survival Kit 3" with video

                  installation "Communists" Riga, Latvia

    photo Books:

    2020 "Nowhereland" 

    2019  “Alien” 

    2013 “Taxi Boys” 

    2012 “Once the Roses were in Bloom” 

    2012 “Georgia. Talking with the Doves” Photo Aija Bley, text Elvita Ruka;

    2011 "Tajikistan. Wallet With Little Birds ". Photo Aija Bley, text Elvita Ruka;

    2011 "Kyrgyzstan. Disobedient Asian Daughter "Photo Aija Bley, text Elvita Ruka;

    2011 "Uzbekistan. Between Gold and Uranium" Photo Aija Bley, text Elvita Ruka;

     

    films (selection):

    documentaries:

    2020 “ We wanted to change the world”;

    2019 “Free space”;

    2014 “ Restart”,

    2009 “Dances of Elves”, co-production with NDR/3sat TV (Germany);

    2009 “Mansur’s War Dance”;

    2008 “Ice –Breaker and His Children” - has received the main prize in Moscow, XI   International Eurasian Teleforum, in nomination “The Family of Russia”;

    2008 “Choice” – has received the main prize in Moscow, XI International       Eurasian Teleforum, in nomination “Sport in the name of life”;

    2006 “Talking on the Way”;

    2005 “How I Went to Look for Reindeer”;

    2004 “Village Close to Heaven”;

    2003 “The Sounds of the Seasons”, (Lettland – Wildnis zwischen Rusland und Riga) - Special prize in Pushalski’s film festival in Lodza, Jury award in international documentary movie festival in Bratislav;

    animation:

    2011 “Woman and Wind”;

    2005 “Island of Doctor D” - nomination for the best animation film and the best animation artist in Film Festival “Lielais Kristaps”, Latvia;

    2004 “The Prickly” – nomination as the best debut in Film Festival “Lielais Kristaps”, Latvia.

    features:

    2004 “Merry Christmas!” - Special prize in 9th International film festival in Sienna, Italy.

    social activities:

    Member of Latvian Filmmakers Union 

    Member of Latvian Film Producers Association 

    language:

    Latvian

    German

    English

    Russian