C’EST MON PATRIMOINE Graphic design by Alex KANOS
This project for C’est Mon Patrimoine 2017 was a proposal presented to the French Ministry of Culture as a complete visual identity system. The goal was to create a graphic language capable of connecting different generations and cultural backgrounds through a unified visual composition.
The central idea of the project was to redefine the notion of heritage by expanding it beyond traditional historical references. Instead of limiting cultural identity to institutional or classical symbols, the composition integrates elements from popular culture, contemporary media and historical architecture.
The visual structure combines objects that belong to very different temporal and cultural contexts. A Nes video game controller represents early digital culture and collective childhood memories linked to gaming. The DeLorean from movies “Back to the Future” introduces a cinematic reference that connects nostalgia with science fiction and temporal displacement.
These contemporary elements are placed alongside classical and historical references such as an old Ionic architectural column, a Parisian Haussmannian building and an 18th-century corsair ship. Each of these components represents a specific layer of cultural memory, architecture or historical narrative of France.
Additional symbolic elements reinforce this dialogue between eras. The angel breaking its chains, inspired by the sculpture from the Bastille, introduces a dimension of historical struggle and emancipation. The gramophone and cassette tape evoke the evolution of sound technologies and the transmission of cultural content over time.
Two central characters structure the composition, one of them visually inspired by the actor Jean-Paul Belmondo. These figures act as narrative anchors within the scene, connecting the fragmented elements into a coherent visual story.
The objective of this composition is not to create a linear reading but rather a network of associations. Each element interacts with the others to form a layered system of meaning where heritage is understood as something dynamic and shared.
The project reflects a broader idea that cultural heritage is not limited to monuments or historical artifacts but also includes everyday objects, popular media and collective memories. By placing these elements on the same visual level, the composition suggests a more inclusive definition of culture.
From a graphic design perspective, the challenge was to maintain readability while integrating a high density of heterogeneous elements. The composition functions as a visual montage, where each component retains its identity while contributing to the overall structure.
This proposal for CMonPatrimoine 2017 aims to create a visual identity that is accessible to a wide audience. It encourages viewers to recognize themselves within the composition, regardless of their cultural background or generation. It also seeks to transform cultural heritage into a shared visual language, where memory, imagination and contemporary references coexist within a single readable narrative.
Ultimately, the project proposes a reinterpretation of heritage as a living system. It connects past and present, high culture and popular culture, institutional memory and personal experience into a single visual framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CMonPatrimoine 2017?
It is a graphic design proposal by Alex Kanos for a cultural project by the French Ministry of Culture.
What is the concept of the design?
The project combines pop culture, historical heritage and architectural references into a unified visual composition.
Which elements are included in the artwork?
The design includes video game references, historical architecture, cinema objects and classical symbols.
What is the purpose of the project?
To redefine cultural heritage as something inclusive, accessible and shared across generations.
Who organized the project?
The project was organized by the French Ministry of Culture in Paris.