As part of the programme “The Origin of Others. Rewriting the history of art in the Americas, from the 19th century to the present day”, AWARE invited the Kali’na Tɨlewuyu artist Keywa Henri to create an original audiovisual work for a young audience, showing her vision of the art practised by women. The video is available on the AWARE website and will be screened as part of its programme at the Villa Vassilieff.

As the Community prepares to pronounce its judgment, Anaxi — “Spider” in the Kalin’a tongue — stands at a crossroads: to save their detractors, or to save themself?

Loosely inspired by the founding stories of the Kalin’a Tɨlewuyu nation (an indigenous people of “French Guiana”), this animated fable by Keywa Henri invites us to journey alongside Anaxi, a central figure in the Kalin’a cosmovision, through the art of indigenous beadwork, an ancestral tradition practiced and carried by women.

In the age of Ishenulupilɨ, when humans, animals, birds – indeed, all beings –  spoke the same language, Anaxi was the cleverest but also the most mischievous of them all. Their playful tricks, having bested many,  led the Community to condemn Anaxi.

But as the Community prepared to pronounce its sentence, a tragedy struck the village: the shaman’s maraca had been destroyed during their last journey. Wishing to restore it, the Community entrusted Anaxi with this mission.

The choice now lay between Anaxi’s many legs: help the very ones who sought to cast them out, or go in search of new life?

Relying on the support of Tamuxi, Anaxi sets off on their journey and continues to roam the world today, with their goal in mind.

Note: The Kalin’a script used in the film is unique to the filmmaker.