FANM ATA︙Jay Asani
Photos / Videos / Visuals / Sounds — since 2021
“We are our ancestors — they are in our DNA — so any sense oƒ detachment ƒrom them is illusory.” Since founding FANM ATA in 2019, Jay Asani has been creating jewelry using Senegalese beads and cowrie shells, along with seeds ƒrom Wanakaera, seeking to make the living bond between Africa and its diaspora tangible — inviting those who adorn their bodies ƒrom ankles to hair to feel grounded, radiant, sensual, and sovereign.
〜FANM: Woman in Matinitjé / Creole
ATA: Magic, mystic, great in Kriba a language and writing system created by Akekusu
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FANM ATAwith·in the
MORNEVERSE
Photography / Videos — 2023
with·in the
MORNEVERSEPhotography / Videos — 2023
Jay Asani in FANM ATA with•in the MORNEVERSE
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FANM ATA
with
HAARÂ
Photography / Videos — 2022
Photography / Videos — 2022
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BEADS & SEEDS
Photography — 2021
Photography — 2021
More about · Buy ︎ Seed jewelry at FANM ATA
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FANM ATA Live
Artistic wandering — 2024
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FANM ATA Live
Artistic wandering — 2023
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Niyabja ° Photograph by Damien Paillard, edited by Klēlo
With Niyabja, Israel, Jay Asani, Sandrine Blaise, Julie, Camille, Asetu, Juliette
with
MALEÏKAArtistic wandering — 2024
Certified Fanm Djòk music video by Chris Macari, reedited by Klēlo ƒor the FANM ATA stage video scenography
An artistic wandering with guest artist Maleïka, performing live ƒor the upcoming release oƒ her first album. As she sang a few tracks, six other Mawon Women moved through the space — first alone, then together — each adorned with FANM ATA.
Specifications
media: art direction, video, scenography, staging
duration: 12 minutes
space: Mawon Woman
time: 2024
photographs ƒrom Damien Paillard
media: art direction, video, scenography, staging
duration: 12 minutes
space: Mawon Woman
time: 2024
photographs ƒrom Damien Paillard
Credits
art direction: Fanm Ata, Haarâ
scenography, choreography: Klēlo, Maleïka, Nawmi Rose
jewelry, costume design: Jay Asani
hair art: Séphora Joannes
makeup: Cleo
production: Fanm Ata
art direction: Fanm Ata, Haarâ
scenography, choreography: Klēlo, Maleïka, Nawmi Rose
jewelry, costume design: Jay Asani
hair art: Séphora Joannes
makeup: Cleo
production: Fanm Ata
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FANM ATA Live
with
NIYABJAArtistic wandering — 2023
An artistic wandering with guest artist Niyabja, performing live ƒor the release oƒ her first EP Well·Bishi. With her conch, her voice, and her drum — accompanied by Israel, also with conch and drum — they opened a Lawonn Bèlè, within which six women, adorned in FANM ATA, moved through the space — first alone, then together.
〜With Niyabja, Israel, Jay Asani, Sandrine Blaise, Julie, Camille, Asetu, Juliette
Specifications
media: art direction, scenography, staging
duration: 20 minutes
space: Well•Bishi
time: 2023
photographs ƒrom Damien Paillard edited by Klēlo
media: art direction, scenography, staging
duration: 20 minutes
space: Well•Bishi
time: 2023
photographs ƒrom Damien Paillard edited by Klēlo
Credits
art direction: Fanm Ata, Haarâ
sound, scenography: Klēlo, Niyabja
jewelry, costume design: Jay Asani
hair art : Séphora Joannes, NefhairDydy
makeup: Jadiz
production: Fanm Ata
art direction: Fanm Ata, Haarâ
sound, scenography: Klēlo, Niyabja
jewelry, costume design: Jay Asani
hair art : Séphora Joannes, NefhairDydy
makeup: Jadiz
production: Fanm Ata