This book, published to accompany an exhibition at Paris's Centre Pompidou in 2017, introduces works of profound originality and critical power by Hervé Fischer, artist-philosopher and founder of sociological art. Since the early 1970s, his work has explored the relationship of art and society, reflecting on how society determines artistic practice, and how artistic practice can develop outside institutions. His inventive public participation projects, undertaken with radio, television and print media in numerous European and Latin American countries have influenced many.

Centre Pompidou's exhibition—as well as this book—covers three periods: from the 1970s until the mid-’80s; from the late ’90s until the present; and also how digital practices can now impact sociological art. In his work, Fischer engages with the notion of going beyond individual work and becoming aware of the social dimension of what an artist thinks and feels. Of interest to graphic designers is the way Fischer deploys design in many of his projects, creating a rich archive of printed ephemera which now bears witness to past public events, as well as Fischer's fascination with the creation of logotypes and icons ("tweet art"/ tuitart) as part of  his project to link fine arts and digital arts. Hervé's return to painting in the digital age also reveals a fascinating obsession with barcodes and the chromatic primitivism of virtual spaces.

Includes an interview with Hervé Fischer conducted in 2016, an index, and a short biography.

Edited by Sophie Duplaix

Designed by Thibaut Robin

Published by Manuella Editions

In French and English

Hardcover, 144 pages, b&w and full color images, 6.7 × 9.5 inches

ISBN: 978-2-917217-86-3