In a country ravaged by health and food emergencies, art is vital, according to Hobisoa Raininoro. “It is important to bring a note of hope, to show beauty, creativity, and to nourish the mind and imagination,” says the co-curator of the inaugural exhibition at Madagascar’s first major contemporary art center, the Fondation H.
Until last year, Madagascar had a vibrant art scene but lacked a public museum of modern art or an art school. However, in April, after two years of restoration, an old post office in the capital, Antananarivo, opened its doors as the new gallery of the Fondation H.
Its first exhibition, “Bientôt je vous tisse tous” – “soon I will weave you all” – runs until the end of February and has been dedicated to Zoarinivo Razakaratrimo, a prominent representative of Malagasy art. Known as Madame Zo, her work has been exhibited worldwide and acquired by the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington.
The Fondation H exhibition is the first time that the textile artist, who passed away in 2020, is presented on a large scale in her homeland. Madame Zo was famous for her use of weaving, an ancestral tradition that continues to thrive. Her work was inspired by the lamba, a wrap made of silk or cotton used by both men and women in Madagascar, which mothers use to carry newborns on their backs and as a shroud for burials.
Visitors to the Fondation H are greeted by large woven works hanging from high ceilings, filling the five rooms spread over two floors of the expansive exhibition space.
In addition to Madame Zo, the Fondation H has showcased the works of at least 50 artists since its inception and sponsored Madagascar’s first pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2019. It is part of a growing art scene in Antananarivo, with several smaller art spaces and galleries, such as Hakanto Contemporary, a nonprofit space for artists, as well as Is’art Galerie and Flow Gallery.
Art in Madagascar faces challenges but also reflects cultural richness and becomes a force for change. As the country confronts globalization and modern challenges, artists like Madame Zo capture the evolution and contemporary spirit in their woven works. Art becomes a brave form of expression and a means to break barriers and open new possibilities for a growing society.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
1. What is the Fondation H?
The Fondation H is Madagascar’s first major contemporary art center. It was inaugurated last year after two years of restoration of an old post office in the capital, Antananarivo.
2. What is the inaugural exhibition of the Fondation H?
The first exhibition of the Fondation H is called “Bientôt je vous tisse tous” (“Soon I will weave you all”). It runs until the end of February and is dedicated to Zoarinivo Razakaratrimo, a prominent representative of Malagasy art.
3. Who was Madame Zo?
Madame Zo, whose real name was Zoarinivo Razakaratrimo, was a textile artist from Madagascar. Her work has been exhibited worldwide and acquired by the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington.
4. What was Madame Zo’s specialty?
Madame Zo was famous for her use of weaving, inspired by the ancestral Malagasy tradition of the lamba, a wrap made of silk or cotton used as clothing in Madagascar.
5. What is the importance of art in Madagascar according to Hobisoa Raininoro?
Hobisoa Raininoro states that art is vital in a country plagued by health and food emergencies. It brings a note of hope, shows beauty, creativity, and nourishes the mind and imagination.
Definitions of key terms:
– Fondation H: It is Madagascar’s first major contemporary art center.
– Madame Zo: Nickname of Zoarinivo Razakaratrimo, a prominent Malagasy textile artist.
– Lamba: It is a wrap made of silk or cotton used as clothing in Madagascar.
Suggested related links:
– Is’art Galerie
– Hakanto Contemporary
– Flow Gallery