Cristina Reis

Cristina Reis

(Lisbon, 1945)

Graphic Design
Illustration
Painting
Scenography and Stage

Cristina Reis was born in Lisbon in 1945. She enrolled in the Painting course at the Higher School of Fine Arts in Lisbon in 1960, while simultaneously beginning her design training in the Basic Design Course at Daciano da Costa’s atelier in Belém. Between 1966 and 1970, she attended a course in Art and Graphic Design at Ravensbourne College of Art and Design in England.

Upon her return, she actively participated in the 1st and 2nd Portuguese Design Exhibitions, held in 1971 and 1973, as part of the Industrial Design Nucleus of the National Institute of Industrial Research (INII). Between 1974 and 1975, she joined architect/designer António Sena da Silva and others in forming the cooperative DEZ, which focused on organizing exhibitions for industry, primarily representing Portuguese initiatives through the Export Promotion Fund.

In 1975, she began working as a scenographer, costume designer, and graphic designer at Teatro Cornucópia, under the direction of Jorge Silva Melo and Luís Miguel Cintra. Between 1979 and 1981, she completed a scenography internship at the Schaubühne am Halleschen Ufer in Berlin. After returning to Teatro Cornucópia, she assumed its direction together with Luís Miguel Cintra, marking the beginning of a long and prolific artistic partnership.

Over forty years at Cornucópia, Cristina Reis dedicated herself to designing all sets, stage props, costumes, and the graphic identity for each production. She created most of the posters, programs, and all necessary graphic materials for the theater’s communication. Beyond Teatro Cornucópia, she also designed scenography and costumes for institutions such as Teatro Nacional D. Maria II, Culturgest, Teatro São Luiz, Teatro Rivoli, and Teatro Nacional de São Carlos.

Throughout her career, she received several distinctions, including the ACARTE / Maria Madalena de Azeredo Perdigão Award (1997); the Almada Theater Prize for her body of work, awarded by the Ministry of Culture (1999); the National Design Award from the Portuguese Design Center (2000); the Gulbenkian Arts Award (2010); and the Theater Critics Award (2015).

Works

(1976/2016)

Timeline

(1960/2019)

(1960/1970)

  • Attended the Painting course at the Higher School of Fine Arts in Lisbon. (1960)
  • She started her design training in the Basic Design Course at Daciano Costa studio. At Daciano da Costa studio, she collaborated on the project for Teatro Villaret, in interior architecture and equipment. (1960/66)
  • Participated in the interior architecture and cinema equipment for the Pavilhão de Portugal at the Commemorative Exhibition of the IV Centenary of the Foundation of the City of Rio de Janeiro. A project by Frederico George for Metalúrgica Duarte Ferreira (MDF).
  • Studied Graphic Design course at Ravensbourne College of Art and Design, in England. (1966/1970)
  • Returned to Portugal for the 1st Portuguese Design Exhibition (1971) in Lisbon and Porto, produced by the Industrial Design Nucleus of the National Institute of Industrial Research (INII) where she worked until 1974 on a part-time basis. (1970/1971)

(1971/1981)

  • Member of the organizing committee of the 2nd Portuguese Design Exhibition (1973) in Lisbon.
  • Participated in exhibitions for the industry, integrating the DEZ cooperative, which she formed with Sena da Silva, Francisco Mapril, Armindo Robalo, Rita Castro and Martins Barata, among others. Most of the work carried out was carried out for Portuguese representations through the Export Promotion Fund (FFE), currently AICEP. (1974/1975)
  • Started her activity in Teatro Cornucópia, as set designer and costume designer under the direction of Jorge Silva Melo and Luís Miguel Cintra. (1976)
  • Scenarios, costumes and photographs of the children's play As Músicas Mágicas (1976), by Catherine Dasté, Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and photographs of the play Ah Q (1976), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and production for shows by Zita Duarte, Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and photographs of the play Tambores na Noite (1976), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Made the scenery assistance and photographs of the play Alta Áustria (1976), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Technical assistance and photos of the play O Treino do Campeão Antes da Corrida (1977), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Staging, dramaturgy, scenarios and photography of the play Casimiro e Carolina (1977), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Participated in the production team of the play Auto da Família (1977), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes for the film Paulo Rocha A Ilha dos Amores (1978).
  • Participated in the technical direction of the play, Música para si (1978), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Staging, scenery and costumes of the play Woyzeck (1978), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play E Não Se Pode Exterminá-lo? (1979) Scenes from Karl Valentin, Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Paragens Mais Remotas Que Estas Terras (1979), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Attended a Scenography stage at Schaubühne Am Halleschen Ufer in Berlin. (1979/82)
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Não Se Paga! Não Se Paga (1981), Teatro Cornucópia.

(1982/1992)

  • Returned to Lisbon and took over the direction of the Teatro Cornucópia with Luís Miguel Cintra. (1982)
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play O Labirinto de Creta (1982), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and lighting of the play Oratória (1983), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes of the play Mariana Espera Casamento (1983), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Novas Perspectivas (1983), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes, lights, staging, dramaturgy and poster of the play A Missão (1983), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Simpatia (1984), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Ricardo III (1985), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and lighting of the play A Ilha dos Mortos e Páscoa (1985), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and lighting of the play Pai (1986), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and lighting of the play A Sonata dos Espectros (1986), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play A Mulher do Campo (1986), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and Costumes for the opera L’Enfant et les Sortilèges (1987) of Ravel and Dido and Eneias by Purcell, with staging of Luís Miguel Cintra, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Vermelhos, Negros e Ignorantes e As Pessoas das Latas de Conserva (1987), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Bodas de Fígaro (1988) de Mozart, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Auto da Feira (1988), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play A Morte do Príncipe e Outros Fragmentos (1988/1989) by Fernando Pessoa, with staging of Luís Miguel Cintra, presented in Avignon Festival and in Paris Autumn Festival.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play O Público (1989), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Façade e O Urso (1990) by William Walton, a co-production of Teatro Cornucópia with RTP.
  • Play poster Muito Barulho por Nada (1990), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Comédia de Rubena (1991), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Até Que Como O Quê Quase (1991), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and props of the play A Missão (1992), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Collaboration on the play Antes que a Noite Venha (1992), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Mauser (1992), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Apanhados no Divã (1992), Teatro Cornucópia.

(1993/2003)

  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Primavera Negra (1993), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Sete Portas (1993), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play A Mula, O Clérigo, O Alfaiate e Mais Lamentações (1993), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Collaboration for assembly and graphic arts of the piece Diálogos Sobre a Pintura na Cidade de Roma (1994), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play O Conto de Inverno (1994), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Poster of the play O Jogo das Perguntas (1994), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play O Triunfo do Inverno (1994), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Vai ver se chove (1995), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play A Prisão (1995), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Splendids (1995), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • At Culturgest she made scenery and costumes for the play The Strangler de Martinu and for The English Cat de E. Bond / H.W. Henze, in a co-production between Culturporto, Rivoli Teatro Municipal, Orquestra Nacional do Porto, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos and Teatro da Cornucópia. (1996)
  • Made an installation Ou talvez não (1996) in Modern Art Center of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundations.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Um Auto de Gil Vicente (1996), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes, poster, photographic material and video of the play A Margem da Alegria (1996), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Barba Azul (1996), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play L’Isola Disabitata (1997) by Haydn, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos.
  • Poster of the play A List (1997), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Poster of the play Demónios (1997), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Os Sete Infantes (1997), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Won the ACARTE / Maria Madalena de Azeredo Perdigão Award for her work as a scenography and costume designer for the play Os Sete Infantes, Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenic space, objects and costumes, staging and dramaturgy of the play Máquina Hamlet (1998), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes, poster and translation of the play Um Sonho (1998), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Quando Passarem Cinco anos (1998), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Won the Almada / Theater Award for her work as a whole. Awarded by the Ministry of Culture. (1999)
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play O Casamento de Fígaro (1999), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Poster of the play A Sombra de Mart (1999), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Afabulação (1999), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Won National Design / Career Award. Awarded by the Portuguese Design Center. (2000)
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Amor / Enganos (2000), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Cimbelino (2000), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play The English Cat (2000), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Poster of the play Hamlet (2000), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Won Bordalo Prize 2000 for the Cimbelino scenery by William Shakespeare at the Teatro Cornucópia. (2001)
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play A Morte de Empédocles (2001), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Dom João e Fausto (2001), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play O Novo Menoza ou A História do Príncipe Tandi (2001), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play O Colar (2002), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play História do Soldado (2002), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Tiestes (2002), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher (2003) by Honegger, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos.
  • Scenery, costumes and graphic image of the play Tito Andrónico (2003), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Anatomia Tito Fall of Rome (2003), Teatro Cornucópia.

(2004/2014)

  • Scenery and costumes of the play Le Vin Herbé (2004) by Frank Martin, Teatro Aberto.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play A Família Schroffenstein (2004), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Esopaida (2004), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Medea (2005) by Cherubini, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos.
  • Scenery and Costumes of the play Comedia sin título (2005) de Federico Garcia Lorca staged by Luís Miguel Cintra, Teatro de La Abadia em Madrid.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Um Homem é um Homem (2005), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play A Cadeira (2005), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Sangue no Pescoço do Gato (2005), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play A Gaivota (2006), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Ensaios para O Ginjal (2006), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Filoctetes (2006), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play A Tragédia de Júlio César (2007), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play O Construtor Solness (2007), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Won Santareno Theater / Career Award. Awarded by the Municipality of Santarém and Instituto Bernardo Santareno. (2008)
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play A Floresta (2008), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Don Carlos, Infante de Espanha (2008), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Os Gigantes da Montanha (2008), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play A Tempestade (2009), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Menina Else (2009), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Ifigénia na Táurida (2009), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Won 2010 Gulbenkian Arts Award.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play A Cidade (2010), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play A Miserere (2010), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Olá Adeusinho (2010), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Graphic design of the play Dança da Morte / Dança de la Muerte (2010), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Fim de Citação (2010), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play A Catatua Verde (2011), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Production of the show A Morte de Judas (2011), with Dinarte Branco and Luís Miguel Cintra.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Ela (2011), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play A Varanda (2011), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Won Authors Award 2012 - Best Scenographic Work for the scenario of A Varanda (2011). Awarded by the Portuguese Society of Authors (SPA).
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Fingido e Verdadeiro (2012), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play O Sonho da Razão (2012), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and poster of the play Os Desastres do Amor (2012), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes, poster and lighting of the play O Nome de Deus (2013) - Readings GENNARIELLO, Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes, poster and lighting of the play O Nome de Deus (2013) - Readings DUAS CARTAS, Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes, poster and lighting of the play O Nome de Deus (2013) - Readings O ESTADO DO BOSQUE, Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes, poster and lighting of the play Ai amor sem pés nem cabeça (2013), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play 4 Ad Hoc (2013), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes, poster and light drawings of the play Ilusão (2014), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes, poster and lighting of the play ÍON (2014), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes, poster and light drawings of the play Pílades (2014), Teatro Cornucópia.

(2015/2019)

  •  Scenery, costumes, poster and light drawings of the play Lisboa Famosa (portuguesa e milagrosa) (2015), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Accompaniment for elements of the scenery, costumes and lighting Atelier Narciso (2015), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes, poster and light drawings of the play Hamlet (2015), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery and costumes of the play Dialogues des Carmélites (2016), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes, poster and translation of the play Música (2016), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Scenery, costumes and light drawings of the play Recital Apollinaire (2016), Teatro Cornucópia.
  • Closure of the Teatro Cornucópia and from then on, Cristina Reis began to collaborate in the construction of the history of Portuguese design.
  • Participated in the Quadrienal de Praga - PQ19, in the Windows Project curated by José Capela. Cristina Reis presented her model made for the English Cat play, demonstrating her work abroad. (2019)