Welcome to the first episode of States! Host Rachel Donadio, a Paris-based writer and culture journalist, is joined by Anne Lafont, art historian and Director of Studies at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) in Paris. Anne’s research has greatly influenced the way that art history takes up the question of race and its representations. During her Villa Albertine residency, Anne embedded in New Orleans to study the material culture of the local Black experience, with a particular focus on the connection between Black history and the French-speaking Americas at the beginning of the 19th century. This research also led Anne to a study of Marie Laveau, a Creole princess and Vodou practitioner who became an iconic figure in the city, but who appears in very few images from the period.  

Anne discusses her findings—and the differences between French and American conceptions of race—in this episode. Tune in!

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Coast to Coast is hosted by Rachel Donadio and produced by Paradiso Media for Villa Albertine.

Journalist : Rachel Donadio

Project editor : Raphaël Bourgois

Producer : Axelle Gobert

Junior Producer : Aimie Faconnier

Executive producers : Lorenzo Benedetti, Louis Daboussy et Benoit Dunaigre

Recording : Théo Albaric, Marec Panchot et Marin Grizeaud

Sound editing, sound-design, mix : Marin Grizeaud et Marec Panchot

Production manager : Oriane Bettoni

Art cover : Des Signes

Special thanks to Stephanie Childress, Simon Bachelier, Miryam Houali, Diane Landais,

Nicolas Floc’h, Anne Lafont, Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer, Quentin Zuttion, Claire Bardainne and Fatoumata Kebe

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