Inauguration maison jacques brel villiers le bel
This project is a commissioned graphic design work created for the inauguration of the Maison Jacques Brel in Villiers-le-Bel. The assignment came from the municipality, which requested a visual identity and a poster to communicate the event and its cultural positioning.
The design is based on a central portrait of Jacques Brel, used as the main visual anchor. Around this portrait, a system of graphic elements was developed to structure the composition and connect the artwork to the function of the venue. These elements include architectural references, extracted from the spatial layout of the Maison Jacques Brel itself, as well as constructed visual fragments inspired by urban environments.
A significant part of the composition integrates architectural motifs that echo buildings and structural forms commonly found in the artist’s broader practice. These elements create a bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary visual language, positioning the building not only as a venue but also as a spatial object embedded in the city.
Musical references are also integrated into the design. A stylized vinyl turntable head is included as a symbolic element, reinforcing the link between Jacques Brel’s musical legacy and the contemporary use of the space. This creates a dialogue between historical music culture and modern graphic interpretation.
The visual system developed for this poster reflects a hybrid approach combining portraiture, architectural mapping, and symbolic objects. The composition is structured to maintain clarity for public communication while still retaining the layered visual complexity characteristic of the artist’s work.
This project was produced in collaboration with the municipality of Villiers-le-Bel and involved coordination with the local cultural team. It is part of a series of institutional collaborations, including previous work on the BelHopSessions events in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Special acknowledgment is given to Laurent Le Texier and the team of the city administration, with whom multiple projects have been developed over several years. These collaborations established a continuity between street-level artistic practice and institutional cultural communication.
The use of portraiture also follows a similar logic. Jacques Brel’s image is not isolated but embedded within a constructed environment. This creates a dialogue between individual identity and institutional space, reinforcing the idea that the inauguration is both a cultural and architectural event.
In this specific commission, the challenge was to translate a cultural event into a coherent visual identity capable of carrying multiple layers of meaning. The final composition operates at the intersection of graphic design, architectural interpretation, and cultural communication.
The poster functions both as an announcement and as a symbolic representation of the Maison Jacques Brel. It situates the building within a broader cultural and urban context while maintaining a clear and structured visual hierarchy for public use.
The project demonstrates a consistent methodology: combining portrait, architecture, and symbolic objects into a unified graphic system. This approach allows the creation of visual identities that are both functional and conceptually structured.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of this project?
The project consisted of creating the official visual identity and poster for the inauguration of the Maison Jacques Brel in Villiers-le-Bel.
What elements were used in the design?
The design combines a portrait of Jacques Brel, architectural references from the venue, and musical symbols such as a vinyl turntable head.
Was this a public commission?
Yes, it was commissioned by the municipality of Villiers-le-Bel for communication around the cultural event.
How does this project relate to your other work?
It continues a visual approach that integrates architecture, urban elements, and symbolic systems into graphic compositions.
Were there previous collaborations with the same city?
Yes, including work on the BelHopSessions events in 2011, 2012, and 2013, and other cultural projects with the same municipal team.