Concept Development, Art Direction, and Visual Design for the immersive exhibition "The Last Sentinels" at Atelier des Lumières, Paris. The exhibition aimed at showcasing Jimmy Nelson's photography and conveying the underlying message "We are one humanity" through a multisensory format.
Sketch of the first exhibition concept
Moodboard "Roots"
Moodboard "Festivities"
My role extended beyond managing art direction and concept development to hands-on content creation. I crafted a series of colorful vector illustrations to pay homage to the people of Papua New Guinea. Vibrant blocks of colours evolved into dynamic illustrations, eventually unveiling Jimmy Nelson's iconic photography. Merging colourful illustrations with photography infused the show with an eclectic and contemporary energy, truly celebrating cultural diversity.
Atelier des Lumières, a pioneering venue for immersive art experiences in Paris that operates under the umbrella of Culturespaces—a leading company specializing in the management and creation of cultural and heritage sites—is renowned for its innovative approach to blending art and technology.
The challenge was to transform Jimmy Nelson’s static photography and behind-the-scenes footage into an immersive experience that aligned with Atelier des Lumières' format. This required reinterpreting Nelson's work for a non-linear, multi-sensory presentation while ensuring the exhibition remained true to his artistic vision.
To build the storyline, we first grouped the images into universal themes such as community and belonging, festivities, and traditions. These themes provided a foundation that allowed us to craft a narrative without relying on spoken words. The biggest challenge was creating a 35-minute experience with no traditional climax—one that could be entered at any point and still feel cohesive. The goal was to create a captivating experience that engaged viewers from any entry point and highlighted universal themes of community and belonging.
We developed “The Last Sentinels,” a 35-minute immersive experience celebrating indigenous peoples from around the world. In collaboration with Spectre Lab and Culturespaces, we curated and art-directed a dynamic exhibition that seamlessly integrated moving images, stills, illustrations, film, and animations. The exhibition was designed to reflect Nelson’s joyful spirit and explore themes of community through a blend of vibrant animations and his iconic photography. This pop-art approach aimed to appeal to a broad audience and fit the immersive format of Atelier des Lumières.
The goal was to preserve the essence of Jimmy Nelson’s work while adapting it to the immersive, non-linear format of Atelier des Lumières. By blending traditional photography with dynamic visuals and animations, we provided a fresh, engaging way to experience Nelson’s celebration of cultural diversity for a broad audience.
Due to its overwhelming success, “The Last Sentinels” returned to Atelier des Lumières and was further developed for additional Culturespaces venues. The exhibition has been showcased at Fabrique des Lumières in Amsterdam and recently added to Carrier des Lumières in Baux-de-Provence, continuing to captivate audiences and expand its reach.
Credits:
Jimmy Nelson Studio
Artist: Jimmy Nelson
Filmography: Stephanie van der Wiel
Art Direction & Design: Larissa Rosvaenge
Digital Content Manager & Film Editor: Bob van Helden
Project Manager: Coco Box
Creative Consultant & Public Relations: Lili van Lith
E-commerce & Marketing: Josje Helmond
Foundation - Education: Kieke van Maarschalkerwaart
Public Relations: Marit de Hoog
Art Consultant: Anouk Woortmann
Post Production: Edwin Veer //André Beuving
Apprentice: Siska de Roos
Foundation Board: Souraya Sarraf
SpectreLab
SpectreLab
Direction & Design
Founder and Spectre Lab co-creator: Marc Vidal
Designer and Artistic Director: Jérôme Sérane
Motion Designer and Photographer: Philippe Granier
Head of Production: Valérie Visus
Culturespaces Digital
Production
Grégoire Monnier
Nicolas Charlin
Glen Loarer
Maïna Angelvy
Patrick Vuittenez
Livia Lérès