BIG – Biennale des arts Indépendant de Genève
Overview:
Art direction and visual identity for the 2021 edition of BIG, titled Biennale Inannulable de Genève. The event took place during the Covid-19 pandemic, at a time when cultural events still faced the risk of cancellation, exploring ideas of adaptability and resilience.
A bright, playful visual identity was developed around the idea of being “uncancellable”, using a flexible graphic system to express optimism and collective energy. The identity extended across the logotype, posters, flyers, urban signage and digital communication, creating a cohesive visual language across different formats.
Art direction and visual identity for the 2021 edition of BIG, titled Biennale Inannulable de Genève. The event took place during the Covid-19 pandemic, at a time when cultural events still faced the risk of cancellation, exploring ideas of adaptability and resilience.
A bright, playful visual identity was developed around the idea of being “uncancellable”, using a flexible graphic system to express optimism and collective energy. The identity extended across the logotype, posters, flyers, urban signage and digital communication, creating a cohesive visual language across different formats.
Throughout the month, BIG hosted artistic events, performances and workshops on Geneva’s Île Rousseau, within a temporary wooden structure created by collective TAREX.
The visual identity combines Tomato Grotesk by Andrea Biggio and Kormelink by Jacob Wise, playing with repetition, layering and erasure. The letter “n” is repeated and distorted to emphasise the word “Inannulable” (uncancellable), while the festival’s name appears partially erased beneath it, resisting disappearance. Bright cyan typography contrasts with a grainy orange gradient inspired by summer sunsets.
The visual identity extends into the physical space through signage. The use of lightweight textiles and different hanging systems allows the graphic elements to integrate into the temporary wooden structure on Geneva’s Île Rousseau.
A background color system structuring the different segments of the 2023 edition, from general communication to evening events, cinema screenings and exhibitions.
(left) The website’s homepage uses an interactive erasure effect: moving the cursor gradually removes the word “Inannulable”, revealing the BIG logo underneath. (right) Social media posts use a flexible layout combining photography, typography and grainy orange-to-blue gradients.
Coordination Team: Rémi Dufay, Fabien Duperrex, Charlotte Magnin et Kevin Ramseier
Web Development: Fabien Duperrex
Photos: êkhô studio, Farah Mirzayeva et Alvaro Romero