Electrocuted Fruits of Labor
Its name will probably create a vision of a piece of a lychee resting on a Petri dish, awaiting tingling currents to come from some electrode to touch its white, almost translucent flesh, in an attempt to perhaps invent something that will make this world a lot more interesting.
That is exactly what Electrolychee is about…an alliance of opposites – the chemically processed versus the organic, the computer-generated versus the handmade, the common versus extraordinary –but fused to create solid, aesthetically gratifying pieces of art. Electrolychee is the duo between Bernie Sim (Bru) and Marcus Nada (Marcushiro) two creative virtuosos of design who construct slick and sticky pieces of Pinoy Pop Culture Art. Merging illustration and design, they play with computer generated vector art and au naturale hand-drawn imagery.
Bru and Marcushiro are two Filipino visual artists who have showcased their pop-inspired designs around Manila’s alternative galleries where pop-art and graphic design has finally taken off. Design has finally graduated from its commercial form and into a realm of art that is extremely unpredictable, highly stylish, imaginative, and versatile. With multimedia and graphic design becoming more powerful components in today’s competitive creative and business environments, more and more designers have emerged. Some other known local studios include: TeamManila, Inksurge, Studio Roxas Ewws, Supersteady, Guadakomeda, Collision Theory, Blackflood and, Darkbulb.
Also original to these multimedia communities in the Philippines is Graphika Manila –the premier annual international design conference in Manila. Hatched in 2006, the event aims to inspire its artist attendees with its line-up of speakers from prominent local and international design firms. Artists from Pixar Animation Studios and even Simone Legno of Tokidoki have attended the conference to share their knowledge and expertise to aspiring local designers. Organized and conceptualized by Unintentional.net, the conference holds print and graphic design presentations, motion graphics and visual effects production, design ideas, web development, broadcasting and advertising. It’s a venue where artists get to interact with each other, expand their networks, and further their creative ideas. No wonder studios such as Electrolychee are now more motivated than ever to execute their visions, and take courage in pushing the boundaries in art.
Since popping into the art scene in September 2005, these two high-voltage designers haven’t even come close to short-circuiting their creative lychee juices. They’ve been collaborating with local and foreign artists, attending design conferences, doing more painting, and silently making noise through their creations. What probably appeals to audiences is their way of translating the wildest of imaginations. Their pop-art images are always playful, almost cartoonish figures that are distorted into seemingly dream-like, colorful portrayals of reality. It’s like children’s book illustrations coming to life and being zapped with a dose of funky edginess.
One of their biggest breaks came when they were approached by Nike to produce an ad campaign befitting the style of work that they do. Electrolychee was commissioned to do the “The 3 Laws” campaign which included a 3D installation of the new Nike Flight Basketball shoes, plus an in-store display. They also worked on the “Sum of All Parts” campaign for Nike Air 360 Running brand. Other notable gigs would be providing illustration for a Shu Uemura lipstick case, redesigning the look of Kickers stores and collaterals, and designing the first wave of the Colorway line for Pony Footwear.
They’ve also revolutionized CD packaging in the country. CD covers that showcase the usual portrait shots, cliché fonts, and generic inlay pamphlets have now taken the back seat. Digitally-pimped out covers are now the norm. Electrolychee has produced award-winning CD covers for the country’s top recording artists. Album skins have definitely become portable, even audible, art pieces as well.
Their local studio also produces the Electrolychee-branded Strange Creations merchandise -the duo’s art in its wearable form. Screen-printed statement tees that showcase wordplay of Filipino slang, colorful tote bags, collectible graphic pins, button badges, eccentric clocks, and Pop Fandango prints are just some of their quirky offerings.
Electrolychee is currently constructing a design studio and lifestyle store in a one-stop shop for everything eye-poppingly interesting. Actively participating in the creation of this amusing microcosm of a playground called art, these artists continue to seesaw through the digital world to hand-painted reality and back. And while these two are combining work and play, audiences will have a fun time watching.
>Written by d/visible contributor Romina Tobias.
