PARADISO LIMITED EDITION 2026

collaboration

Pigmentarium and its creative team remain closely attuned to Prague’s artistic scene. The process of discovering new talent—often unfolding during public presentations of student and graduate work at local institutions such as AVU and UMPRUM—continues to be a constant source of inspiration.

It was at UMPRUM that our attention was drawn to the Graphic Design and Visual Communication Studio during the widely followed ARTSEMESTR. A project in which students developed imaginary passports in collaboration with the State Printing Works of Securities left a lasting impression on the Pigmentarium team. In that moment, it became clear that the next edition of the Paradiso artistic limited series should be created in dialogue with students.

We approached the studio and, during the winter semester of 2025/2026, developed a collaborative project involving nine emerging talents under the guidance of MgA. Zuzana Lednická and studio assistant MgA. Richard Jaroš. Each student presented their own interpretation of what Paradiso could become in 2026. Following the final presentations, one winning concept was selected.

Throughout the winter, nine students attuned themselves to the rhythms of summer. Their presentations were carefully developed, each grounded in a strong personal vision of what summer—and paradise—means, both in a universal sense and, more intriguingly, through an intimate, individual lens. The competition could only have one winner. Yet the full body of work, presented here in a curated selection, offers a compelling insight into the strength and diversity of the proposals, as well as the collaboration as a whole. Consider it an invitation to experience a series of artistic interpretations of summer, holidays, and paradise.

Nine interpretations of Paradiso, as seen through the eyes of students from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague.

She translates the symbolism of a carefree, sunlit summer into familiar greasy fingerprints, which she uses to decorate both the flacon and the box. She defined her concept as follows: “To feel free enough to be imperfect, to live life to the fullest, to run, shout, feel, move, chase your goal and never doubt — paradise is here, without any worries.” 

I turned to analogue photography, with which I have little experience beyond a few holidays and trips. I wanted to attempt a true studio image—complete with full production. It began at home, on my kitchen table. A stone as an island. Rhubarb as a tree. Pieces of grapefruit—sea anemones. Vetiver roots embracing a cliff. A peeled grapefruit skin, a butterfly hovering above the sea. Gradually, beneath my hands, a composed still life began to emerge—an imagined island, a mysterious, dreamlike mirage. This is what I envision as Paradiso: an unspoken place dissolving in the heat, playful forms, a world each of us imagines slightly differently, yet one we meet within through thought.

A key inspiration in connecting this scene with the concept of Paradiso was Czech Surrealism—more precisely its precursor, Poetism. This distinctly Czech artistic movement of the 1920s is infused with a fascination for travel, the beauty of everyday life, and a deep sense of joy. Among its many expressions were postcards. Poetists treated them as an artistic medium, often creating collages from found imagery. Within my concept, you will therefore also find such a postcard—accompanied by a short poem that extends the still-life composition:

The space in between now
and your childhood dream.
Cold breeze braiding your hair.
You touched water for the first time.
Your eyes met the scorching red sun
and you thought about them, again.
Everything in the right place.
Paradiso
– where is it?

A modern superhero whose greatest superpower is the ability to truly relax. She embodies lightness, joy and the freedom to be herself. Across the Paradiso packaging moves a small figurine inspired by inexpensive glass souvenirs. In her hand, she carries a glass—forever filled—with Paradiso’s unmistakable gin and tonic.

The drawings are a subjective reminder of that fleeting feeling of total contentment simply from existing in the moment — that occasional realization: yes, living life is actually wonderful.

The visual concept is built on the harmony between clean typography and rich colour abstraction, interpreting the fragrance as a living, evolving experience. The overall aesthetic works with the effect of blur and the blending of colour reflections, giving the image a depth similar to the vibration of hot summer air.