Opening and inaugural season Family Stories

Born from a shared passion for contemporary Malagasy art, Hakanto Contemporary emerged in Antananarivo (Madagascar) in 2020. This independent, non-profit space is the brainchild of artist Joël Andrianomearisoa, who is also its artistic director, and entrepreneur and patron Hasnaine Yavarhoussen.

An artist’s project, for artists. Hakanto Contemporary serves as a dynamic platform dedicated to artists, exhibitions, reflection, and encounters.

Supported by the Fonds Yavarhoussen, the space has nurtured a vibrant exchange between the global art world and the local art scene since its creation. Four years after its triumphant debut, Hakanto Contemporary unveils its stunning new space in Antananarivo, an expansive 2,000 m2 venue envisioned and entirely designed by artist Joël Andrianomearisoa. Divided into modular spaces that seamlessly adapt throughout the year, the exhibition area features a dedicated bookstore, workshops, and a library.

From promoting emerging artists to rediscovering historical Malagasy figures, through fostering groundbreaking dialogues that push the boundaries of the art world, this versatile space offers a vibrant program punctuated by a calendar of captivating events.

“The variety of spaces allows us to organize our programming across several timelines,”explains Joël Andrianomearisoa. “Major exhibitions will rotate roughly every six months, while projects showcased in the three modules will offer more flexibility. Having such a vast and versatile platform is incredibly motivating. It empowers us to take our concrete commitment to contemporary creation even further.”

One season, one theme​
This grand opening marks an opportunity for Hakanto Contemporary to unveil the innovative structure of its artistic program. Each season, the public is invited on a captivating journey through four parallel exhibitions, all united by a central theme.

The major exhibition delves deeply into the chosen theme through monographs or group exhibitions by renowned artists. The discovery/rediscovery space showcases the work of a singular historical or contemporary artist. The collection space brings a curated selection of artworks from the Hasnaine Yavarhoussen collection, thoughtfully chosen to resonate with the season’s theme. Beyond Borders introduces an international artist or project, whether emerging or established, whose influence extends beyond the traditional art world.

Inaugural season “Family Stories”
Featuring six multi-faceted exhibitions until March 16, 2025.

The Grief, a sound exhibition by Aude Onivola Rajaona in which she evokes family memories from a birthday party to a fara‐veloma (last goodbye)

Le Corps des Volants à Six Étages, Jessy Razafimandimby’s first solo show in Madagascar, transports us into his different visions between fianakaviana fendrofendro sa ve ampinga paradisa? (tearful family or the family as a tool to reach heaven)

Avec Elles, Alexandre Gourçon’s first solo exhibition, in which he evokes the heritage of his two grandmothers, but above all the local asa tanana (handcraft)

Mother, a discussion between Asma Ben Aissa and Elie Ramanankavana to talk about the mother, Mama a!

This is My Home, a selection of artworks from the Collection Yavarhoussen. An intimate, imaginary vocabulary of a home with no geography except that of lightness.

And last but not least, Joely Sy Andy, an original dialogue between Andy Warhol and Joely, Malagasy spokesman for contemporary era.

This inaugural cycle examines the notion of the family as a life force and source of inspiration, but also as a burden on the expansion of our being while the next promises a poetic and daring examination of love in all its forms.