Cover image: Detail of Frontline Prophet promotional graphic
© Entrée to Black Paris

As part of the exquisite James Baldwin Centennial Festival hosted by La Maison Baldwin in Paris, the Combes Student Life Center at the American University of Paris (AUP) is hosting an exhibition called Frontline Prophet: James Baldwin by Sabrina Nelson.

Sabrina Nelson information page
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The idea for this Augmented Reality (AR)-enhanced solo show was born when Nelson attended "A Language to Dwell in,"  the Baldwin conference that AUP hosted in 2016.  As a result of the experience, she vowed to recreate Baldwin's image from memory over the course of a year.

Nelson produced 91 sketches of Baldwin during that year. She described them as "a way to baptize myself in the essence of Baldwin, as his words and expressions connected deeply with how I felt the world was treating its dwellers who are Black and Brown."

Baldwin sketches by Sabrina Nelson
© Entrée to Black Paris

She extended her project to include mixed media works, her own writings, and AR videos hosted on the Black Terminus app.

Artwork displaying artist's writing
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Invitation to view works in Augmented Reality
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The exhibition, which was curated by Ashara Ekundayo and Oma Misha, includes a video in which hands turn the pages of the multiple sketchbooks that Nelson created over seven years.  It has been shown in multiple cities across the U.S., including NYC, New Orleans, Oakland, and Chicago.

Sketchbook display, Baldwin portrait, and exhibition information book
© Entrée to Black Paris

Sketches shown in video presentation
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The AUP exhibition includes only part of the entire collection of work created for Frontline Prophet.  The display extends from the gallery space adjacent to the Amex Cafe in the Combes building all the way to the Celeste Schenck Atrium in the Quai d'Orsay Learning Commons. 

Passage between Combes and Orsay buildings
© Entrée to Black Paris

Between the Combes and Orsay buildings, three display cases house books and Baldwin sketches.

Content of display cases
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Upon entering the Schenck Atrium, visitors will find the large format work inspired by a photo of James Baldwin and Beauford Delaney walking down avenue de l'Opéra.

Representation of Baldwin and Beauford in Schenck Atrium
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Representation of Baldwin and Beauford in Schenck Atrium (detail)
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James Baldwin and Beauford Delaney, Paris, circa 1960.
Photographer anonymous
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator

Frontline Prophet will be on display at AUP through September 30, 2024.

American University of Paris
6, rue du Colonel Combes
75007 Paris
Metro: RER C Pont de l'Alma
ID must be presented to enter.