Fondation Hervé Guibert began as a simple visual representation of a text called Crazy for Vincent by prolific French writer and photographer, Hervé Guibert in 1989.

The story recalls the short life that Hervé and Vincent shared, beginning with Vincent’s untimely death and moving backwards. Throughout the text, Hervé highlights struggles with addiction, substance abuse, mental illness, and living with AIDS.

I developed three deliverables which then informed and inspired the rest of this project. First I created a logo and branding system for a hypothetical foundation and community center honoring the legacy of Hervé Guibert. Most importantly, I asked myself what purpose the Fondation Hervé Guibert would serve. I concluded that it must be an inclusive community center, especially for LGBTQ people, artists, writers, philosophers, and HIV positive people. It would provide a space for community gatherings, classes, a clinic, a bookstore, a cafe, a gallery, a mental wellness center, and would host meetings for those struggling with substance abuse or those who are HIV positive.

Free condoms are the most common and affordable way to prevent STDs and HIV contraction. For the graphics I referenced safe sex and AIDS awareness posters from the 80s and 90s. These can be used by anyone who is sexually active and are available to anyone regardless of financial status.

How would the foundation advertise itself without feeling corporate and sterile? 

I conceptualized this advertising system to be interactive with the public. It works using a large LED display and thermal camera placed in an area with pedestrians. The live video feed is then displayed on the screen and would indiscriminately highlight bodies in red in order to dismantle the idea of “otherness.” Mental illness, HIV/AIDS, and addiction do not discriminate, so why should an advertisement? The camera distorts the video to make people unrecognizable and thus preserving anonymity. 

Next I proposed different ways this system could be implemented in other types of advertising, such as a directional ad in a metro station or bus stop.

Finally, I developed an interactive application that functions as a mobile version of the LED display. The software applies a filter to your camera similar to the one used for the advertisements, but can be used for more general purposes.