MANILA, Philippines — From 2016 to 2017, Czech artist Radim Kacer has worked in the Philippines as head of design for a private company. He stayed in Subic, Zambales, where views opened up to the bays and the mountains.
“It was like living in paradise,” said Kacer in a conference call with Philstar.com at the argomall office in Taguig City. During his short but sweet stay, he was inspired to paint one of his biggest works to date, 4 x 2.2-meter canvas of abstract painting.
“I saw myself efficient with my artistic work during my time in the Philippines,” Kacer said.
This year, albeit back in Czech Republic, Kacer had gladly found another chance to showcase his art to Filipinos, and even bring it closer to them.
He had technology to thank.
Now available at argomall.com, a homegrown online tech shop, are original screen wallpaper and phone case created by Kacer, which were previously available to the international market only.
Made for iPhone 7, 8 and X, the screen wallpaper and phone case features Kacer’s signature, abstract style. “I paint art the same way the universe created stars,” he said.
Karel Holub, chief Argonaut at argomall, said he wanted to bring back the old days when people used to download wallpapers to display on their phones. Released
This is evident in his Cosmos collectionin red, galactic hues that appear almost real. This is because the digital abstract art comes in high-definition format and high-detail patterns, achieved by Kacer in an app he created himself, Organik Pixel.
“I invented this technology and it is unique to me,” he said noting that his screen wallpapers could never be copied.
Unique partnership
In the future, the abstract expressionist and designer hopes to introduce new screen wallpapers to more Filipinos.
“As a designer, I want to experiment and show something that Filipinos haven’t seen before. Something that will give them courage to have a bold heart, and something that will inspire them to be creative,” Kacer said.
Karel Holub, chief Argonaut at argomall, said that the unique partnership would work two ways.
“One is that it will inspire local artists to look at this as a real, new digital canvas. And also, it will give us opportunity to try new things and be innovative,” he said.
He also wants to bring back the old days when people used to download wallpapers to display on their phones—especially for millennials.
“I see it as an interesting way to basically take art and use that new, digital canvas for the art itself. It’s hard to think that millennials will collect paintings—the way our grandparents or fathers’ generations would. I see millennials will consume art in the form that is available to them which is the digital screen, be it a laptop, TV or smartphone,” the argomall chief said.
Holub is hopeful that argomall would carry Kacer’s wallpaper designs for bigger screens. As of the present, 5K Ultra HD Resolution for 16:9 screens are already available in Kacer’s website.
To see the original wallpaper screen and phone case designed by Kacer, visit https://www.argomall.com/yombi-case-and-wallpaper-for-apple-iphone-x-by-radim-kacer.html.