François Hers
author · photographer
François Hers is a Belgian artist and photographer who has lived and worked in France since 1968. He was a founding member of the VIVA agency (1972–1976), where he served as artistic and technical director. His work often explores conceptual themes, including the relationship between art, society, and history. He is known for his involvement in significant photographic projects, such as the 'Mission photographique de la DATAR' (1984–1989) in France, which documented the country's landscapes during the 1980s. Hers has received several distinctions, including Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur. His publications often reflect a critical inquiry into the role of photography as a medium for exploring social and historical realities.
Themes
- conceptual art
- landscape photography
- social history
- artistic agency
Books
Works by François Hers
- Paysages photographies. En France les années quatre-vingt 1989 · Hazan · book · French ISBN 2850252107 Co-authored with Bernard Latarjet; documents the DATAR photographic mission.
- Récit 1983 · Herscher · book · French ISBN 978-2-7335-0047-7 A book of photographs exploring the relationship between art and society.


