Identity: a film about Czech graphic design
World-renowned auctioneer and Czech-American Nicholas Lowry travels from New York to Prague to explore, as a passionate collector, what has shaped and defined Czech national identity. His journey across the Czech Republic takes him to iconic landmarks of graphic design, including Zlín, Litomyšl, Brno, and Plzeň. Here, he delves into the works of Tomáš Baťa, Josef Váchal, Alfons Mucha, Ladislav Sutnar, and even the famed Plzeň beer. The quirky guide in a tartan suit also ventures to South Moravia to examine the aesthetics of wine labels, embarks on a hiking trip along the marked trails of the Czech Tourist Club, and encounters the contemporary generation of designers, such as Petr Babák, Martin Pecina, and Aleš Najbrt. Through uncovering Czech identity, Nicholas also gains a deeper connection to his own roots—his great-uncle founded the Primeros factory in Prague, which played a significant role in the history of Czech graphic design.
