Loan FAVAN

« In a world where indigenous cultures slowly disappear , we can wonder how traditions can evolve with us. » Loan Favan is a jewelry artist from New Caledonia, Pacific. The leitmotiv of her work is her Pacific heritage. She feels the need to give back to her island and share their stories and traditions. Therefore she creates conceptual jewelry or futuristic ‘artifacts’ that carry the spirits and mystical powers of the island. Her works gravitates around the idea of redefining what will make the human of tomorrow. Will our origins still define us? Will our nature be interchangeable? What will empower us? What will give us a sense of belonging?... ‘NGEI’ translates to ‘later in the future’ in Nengone, language from Maré, New Caledonia and is a collection of 3 monumental accessories inspired by the Kanak artifacts. The concept of NGEI is to juxtapose the ancient artifacts next to their futuristic version and thus re-question the mutation of customs. The research process behind the project has also been a way for Loan to come back to her roots, and witness the impacts of colonization on Education and Identity. NGEI is composed of 3 monumental jewelry pieces inspired by the Kanak money (NINEN), ceremonial spears (CĀC) and the magic stones (SHEGU) of New Caledonia. Each object contains specific references taken from travelers’ discovery diaries and traditional legends. The pieces then become much more than simple jewelry, they become futuristic artifacts; « charged with symbols that convey our past values and identities into the future. » NGEI was crowdfunded in August 2021 online and exhibited in May 2022, in Bali Indonesia and becomes a futuristic utopia where the Kanak traditions crossed the centuries and gave life to new tribes…

Link to the exhibition video