Pluartis

Paola Lugarić Benzia

Scenographer

Photograph: Aleksandra Ana Buković

Paola Lugarić Benzia has been continuously engaged in artistic creation for the past nine years. Although her formal education is rooted in sculpture, her interest in space, form, material, and the relationship between object and body naturally directed her toward scenography and set design. Active in the theatre since 2017, she develops her own signature approach to shaping performance space through close collaboration with directors and diverse creative teams. In parallel, she works on film and television projects while continuing to expand her independent fine-art practice.

She views scenography not merely as a background or backdrop, but as an active participant in the performance. She is fascinated by the relationships between volume, material, light, movement, and the performer’s body, as well as the capacity of a space to be simultaneously functional, evocative, and open to multiple interpretations. Working alongside directors, she begins with the dramaturgy of a piece, seeking spatial solutions that support its rhythm, atmosphere, and mise-en-scène.

Her work frequently combines a realistic approach with conceptual and minimalist interventions. She is particularly drawn to spaces that resist singular, unambiguous readings, as well as materials that allow for transformation and multi-layered spatial utility. She often utilizes textiles, for example, due to their ability to generate three-dimensional volume from flat plane surfaces, as well as for the lightness, mobility, and permeability they bring to the stage.

Her background in sculpture remains a fundamental pillar of her methodology. Prior to and alongside her scenography career, she participated in numerous group exhibitions, projects, and art programs, presenting her master’s diploma project “Displacement – Intimate/Public” at the SKC Gallery in Rijeka in 2019. In her visual art practice, she continuously investigates the interplay between object, body, and spatial volume – a line of inquiry that seamlessly informs her theatrical work.

From an interest in material and object, through sculptural reflections on volume, to the physical theatrical space and live performance, her body of work constantly revolves around a single core question: how to shape a space that not only represents the world of a play, but actively participates in it.

Currently working across Rijeka, Zagreb, Pula, and various theatrical and film productions, she continues to refine her distinct scenographic voice through creative collaborations with directors, performers, and interdisciplinary teams.

Gallery

Bog masakra (God of Carnage) | Dir. Renata Carola Gatica (Premiere: 22 October 2021) | INK, Pula

Photograph: Karlo Čargonja
Photograph: Karlo Čargonja
Photograph: Karlo Čargonja

Božićna priča (A Christmas Carol) | Dir. Renata Carola Gatica (Premiere: 28 November 2023) | HNK Ivana pl. Zajca, Rijeka (Voted Best Drama Production by the Rijeka Audience, 2023/2024)

Photograph: Drażen Šokčević
Photograph: Drażen Šokčević
Photograph: Drażen Šokčević
Photograph: Drażen Šokčević
Photograph: Drażen Šokčević

Candide ili optimizam (Candide, or Optimism) | Dir. Hrvoje Korbar (Premiere: 20 October 2023) | Marin Držić Theatre, Dubrovnik

Photograph: Vedran Levi
Photograph: Vedran Levi
Photograph: Vedran Levi
Photograph: Vedran Levi

Ero s onoga svijeta (Ero the Joker), Opera | Dir. Hrvoje Korbar (Premiere: 14 April 2026) | HNK, Split

Photograph: Milan Šabić
Photograph: Milan Šabić
Photograph: Milan Šabić
Photograph: Milan Šabić
Photograph: Milan Šabić

Gianni Schicchi, Opera | Dir. Fabrizio Melano (Premiere: 14 February 2022) | HNK, Rijeka & HNK, Osijek (Co-production)

Photograph: Drażen Šokčević
Photograph: Drażen Šokčević
Photograph: Drażen Šokčević

2019: “DISPLACEMENT: Intimate/Public” (IZMJEŠTANJE intimno/javno) – Paola Lugarić Benzia, Master’s Degree Performance / Exhibition, SKC Gallery, Rijeka

Photograph: Ivan Vranjić
Photograph: Ivan Vranjić
Photograph: Ivan Vranjić

Majke (Mothers) | Dir. Rajna Racz & Kolektiv Igralke | Set & Costume Design: Paola Lugarić Benzia & Tanja Blašković (Premiere: 11 July 2025) | Kolektiv Igralke, Rijeka

Photograph: Miranda Legović
Photograph: Miranda Legović
Photograph: Miranda Legović

La Traviata, Opera | Dir. Hrvoje Korbar (Premiere: 28 March 2025) | HNK, Osijek

Photograph: Kristijan Cimer
Photograph: Kristijan Cimer
Photograph: Kristijan Cimer
Photograph: Kristijan Cimer
Photograph: Kristijan Cimer

Solo Exhibitions

  • 2019: DISPLACEMENT: Intimate/Public (IZMJEŠTANJE intimno/javno) – Master’s Degree Performance / Exhibition, SKC Gallery, Rijeka

Group Exhibitions

  • 2025: Everything I Kept Silent About Now Has a Form (Sve što sam prešutio/la, sada ima oblik), Grobnik Gallery of Contemporary Art
  • 2025: Student Work Exhibition: Sculpture & Printmaking – 20th Anniversary of the Academy of Applied Arts, VBZ Gallery, Rijeka
  • 2019: DREAM OF TRUST – New Istrian Giants (SAN POVJERENJA – NOVI ISTARSKI DIVOVI), MMC Gallery of the City of Umag
  • 2018: Exhibition of Master’s Degree Student Works APURI 2017/2018, KORTIL Gallery, Rijeka
  • 2018: Sculptural Tuesday (Kiparski utorak), SKC Gallery, Rijeka
  • 2018: Student Exhibition within the ‘Participatory Museum Together’ Project, Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Littoral, Rijeka
  • 2018: Annual Exhibition of HDLU Members, HDLU Zagreb
  • 2018: Exhibition of Master’s Degree Student Works APURI, Zvonimir Gallery, Krk
  • 2017: International Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition ‘Keramos / Perspectives on Contemporary Ceramics’, Piran, Slovenia
  • 2017: 52nd Zagreb Salon of Applied Arts and Design: (Un)Appliedness of Applied Arts, ULUPUH Gallery, Zagreb
  • 2016: Students of the Academy of Applied Arts in Rijeka – Ceramics Course Exhibition, APURI, Rijeka
  • 2016: Cultural and Artistic Event ‘Academy Night’, Academy of Applied Arts, Rijeka
  • 2014: Students of the Academy of Applied Arts in Rijeka, Laurus Gallery, Lovran
  • 2014: Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, Germany (Artwork “Labyrinth” acquired for permanent collection)

Projects & Workshops

  • 2018: Mapping the Local – Budapest (CEEPUS & Erasmus Student Project)
  • 2018: 27 Neighborhoods – Rijeka European Capital of Culture 2020
  • 2016–2017: ‘STUDENT TO STUDENT’ Project, APURI (Organization & Demonstration)
  • 2016: Land Art Installation, Risnjak National Park
  • 2015–2016: ‘STUDENT TO STUDENT’ Project, APURI (Organization & Demonstration)

Competitions & Awards

  • 2018: Concept & Execution Proposal for the History Film Festival Award Prototype, Rijeka (Second Prize)
  • 2015: Sculptural Statuette for the Business & Art Project, presented to PRO.PR Award Laureates
  • 2014: Rijeka Half Marathon, Selected Design Solution

Lead & Co-Set Design Credits

  • HNK Split
    • Ero s onoga svijeta (Ero the Joker), Opera | Dir. Hrvoje Korbar (Premiere: 14 April 2026)
  • HNK Varaždin & INK Pula
    • Mekoća (Softness) | Dir. Selma Spahić (Premiere: 5 March 2026)
    • Kako živi Antuntun (How Antuntun Lives) | Dir. Hrvoje Korbar (Premiere: 7 February 2026)
  • HNK Zagreb
    • Norma, Opera | Dir. Dora Ruždjak Podolski (Premiere: 24 October 2025)
  • City Theatre Žar ptica, Zagreb
    • Stanari u slonu (The Tenants in the Elephant) | Dir. Hrvoje Korbar (Premiere: 3 October 2025)
  • Kolektiv Igralke, Rijeka
    • Majke (Mothers) | Dir. Rajna Racz & Kolektiv Igralke | Set & Costume Design: Paola Lugarić Benzia & Tanja Blašković (Premiere: 11 July 2025)
  • HNK Osijek
    • La Traviata, Opera | Dir. Hrvoje Korbar (Premiere: 28 March 2025)
  • HNK Varaždin
    • Priča o Zorku bistrozorku i o sreći (The Story of Zorko Clear-Sight and Happiness) | Dir. Lea Anastazija Fleger (Premiere: 22 December 2024)
  • HNK Ivana pl. Zajca, Rijeka (Croatian Drama)
    • Kad se zaljubljujemo (When We Fall in Love) | Dir. Ivan Plazibat (Premiere: 23 November 2024)
  • PLAYDRAMA, Split
    • Dalmatinska kuhinja (Dalmatian Kitchen) | Dir. Hrvoje Korbar (Premiere: 17 October 2024)
  • HNK Ivana pl. Zajca, Rijeka (Opera)
    • Djevojka sa zapada (The Girl of the Golden West), Opera | Dir. Giorgio Surian (Premiere: 28 February 2024) (Nominated for the 32nd Croatian Theatre Award for Best Set Design)
  • HNK Ivana pl. Zajca, Rijeka (Drama)
    • Božićna priča (A Christmas Carol) | Dir. Renata Carola Gatica (Premiere: 28 November 2023) (Voted Best Drama Production by the Rijeka Audience, 2023/2024)
  • Marina Držić Theatre, Dubrovnik
    • Candide ili optimizam (Candide, or Optimism) | Dir. Hrvoje Korbar (Premiere: 20 October 2023)
  • HNK Zagreb
    • Leda | Dir. Franka Perković (Premiere: 26 May 2023)
  • Kerempuh Satirical Theatre, Zagreb
    • Ožalošćena porodica (The Bereaved Family) | Dir. Ivan Plazibat (Premiere: 17 March 2023)
  • HNK Ivana pl. Zajca, Rijeka (Drama)
    • Yerma | Dir. Rajna Racz (Premiere: 18 January 2023)
  • HNK Rijeka & HNK Osijek (Co-production)
    • Arlecchino / Gianni Schicchi, Operas | Dir. Fabrizio Melano (Premiere: 14 February 2022)
  • Ruper Art Organization & Teatar &TD, Zagreb
    • Mornar (The Sailor) | Dir. Rajna Racz (Premiere: 21 December 2021)
  • Istrian National Theatre (INK), Pula
    • Bog masakra (God of Carnage) | Dir. Renata Carola Gatica (Premiere: 22 October 2021)
    • Potplaćeni! Ne plaćamo! (Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay!) | Dir. Patrik Lazić (Premiere: 18 June 2021)
  • HNK Ivana pl. Zajca, Rijeka (Drama)
    • Čelične magnolije (Steel Magnolias) | Dir. Renata Carola Gatica (Premiere: 8 May 2021)
  • Kolektiv Igralke, Rijeka
    • Bakice (Grandmas) | Dir. Tjaša Črnigoj (Premiere: 21 December 2020)
  • Teatar &TD, Zagreb
    • Nepoznata iz Seine (The Unknown Woman of the Seine) | Dir. Rajna Racz (Premiere: 4 November 2020)
  • Istrian National Theatre (INK), Pula
    • Kraljević i prosjak (The Prince and the Pauper) | Dir. Luka Mihovilović (Premiere: 6 December 2019)
  • HNK Ivana pl. Zajca, Rijeka
    • Sunset Boulevard, Musical | Dir. Renata Carola Gatica | Co-set designer with Dalibor Laginja (Premieres: 8 & 9 February 2019; Revival: 25 September 2024)
    • Didona i Eneja (Dido and Aeneas), Opera | Dir. Mirva Koivukangas (Premiere: 17 February 2018)
    • Snježna bajka 2 (Snow Fairy Tale 2) | Dir. Igor Vlajnić (Premiere: 6 December 2017)
  • APURI & Ulysses Theatre
    • Dobri čovjek iz Sečuana (The Good Person of Szechwan) | Dir. Lenka Udovički (Premiere: 2017)
  • GDK Gavella, Zagreb
    • Nevidljivi (Invisible) | Dir. Matjaž Pograjc | Set & Scale Model Fabrication: Paola Lugarić, Ivo Brozina, Dominik Meštrović (Premiere: 11 May 2017)

Assistant Set Design Credits

  • Komedija Theatre, Zagreb: Beauty and the Beast (Disney) | Dir. Leo Mujić | Lead Scenographer: Stefano Katunar (Premiere: 24 September 2022)
  • HNK Rijeka & INK Pula: Amarcord | Dir. Luciano Delprato | Lead Scenographer: Belén Parra (Premieres: Pula 21 October 2022, Rijeka 2 November 2022)
  • Zagreb Youth Theatre (ZKM): The Wizard of Oz | Dir. Saša Broz | Lead Scenographer: Stefano Katunar (Premiere: 18 September 2021)
  • GDK Gavella: The Visit (Posjet stare dame) | Dir. Dora Ruždjak Podolski | Lead Scenographer: Stefano Katunar (Premiere: 6 May 2021)
  • HNK Rijeka: Dangerous Liaisons (Opasne veze) | Dir. Olja Lozica | Lead Scenographer: Stefano Katunar (Premiere: 11 June 2021)
  • GDK Gavella: Hotel Zagorje | Dir. Anica Tomić | Lead Scenographer: Igor Vasiljev (Premiere: 14 February 2020)
  • HNK Rijeka: Gospođa ministarka | Dir. Tatjana Mandić Rigonat | Lead Scenographer: Stefano Katunar (Premiere: 18 July 2020)
  • HNK Rijeka: Leica Format | Dir. Franka Perković | Lead Scenographer: Igor Vasiljev (Premiere: 17 May 2019)
  • Ulysses Theatre & Belgrade Drama Theatre: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? | Dir. Lenka Udovički | Lead Scenographer: Stefano Katunar (Premiere: 29 July 2019)
  • HNK Rijeka: Prava komedija (True Comedy) | Dirs. Various | Lead Scenographer: Dalibor Laginja (Premiere: 3 October 2019)
  • HNK Rijeka: Norma, Opera | Dir. & Lead Scenographer: Christian Romanowski (Premiere: 11 June 2018)
  • HNK Rijeka: La Bohème, Opera | Dir. & Lead Scenographer: Fabrizio Melano (Premiere: 23 October 2017)
  • HNK Rijeka: Autumn Sonata (Jesenja sonata) | Dir. Ana Tomović | Lead Scenographer: Ljerka Hribar (Premiere: 12 January 2017)

Film & Television

  • HRT (Croatian Radiotelevision) – Children’s Program:
    • Zujalice (Season 2, 10 episodes) – Co-Set Designer (September–December 2024)
    • Zujalice (Season 1, 10 episodes) – Co-Set Designer (2023)
    • Juhuhu (20 episodes) – Set Designer II (2023)
    • Ho Ho Hotel (20 episodes) – Set Designer II (November 2021 – October 2022)
  • Pom Pom Film:
    • Glavonja (Bighead, Feature Children’s Film) – Set Decorator (20 May – 23 July 2024)
  • Commercials:
    • PostFinance Commercial (Riba ribi grize rep) – Assistant Set Designer (July 2024)
    • McDonald’s 1+1 TVC – Assistant Set Designer to Stefano Katunar
  • Eagle Eye Drama & Drugi Plan:
    • Hotel Portofino (Season 1) – Set Designer (March–July 2021)
  • HAVC (Croatian Audiovisual Centre):
    • Camera Roll (Short Student Film) – Set Designer (October 2018)

Professional Memberships

  • 2023–present: Croatian Freelance Artists Association (HZSU)
  • 2022–present: Croatian Association of Artists of the Applied Arts (ULUPUH)
  • 2018–present: Croatian Association of Fine Artists (HDLU)