PAST EXHIBITIONS

A Monographic Exhibition of
Émile Rakotondrazaka, known as Ramily (1939–2017)
Between retrospective, emotion and tribute
30 April – 30 July 2022

Curated by
Joël Andrianomearisoa
Ludonie Velotrasina

Hakanto Contemporary
Alhambra Gallery · Ankadimbahoaka
Antananarivo · Madagascar

Between Retrospective, Emotion and Tribute

Ramily — affectionately known as Dadamily — is the father of contemporary Malagasy black-and-white photography. This exhibition unfolds as a space-time devoted to the genius of a photographer: the pioneer of modern black-and-white photography and an exceptional darkroom master.

Born on 25 September 1939 in the Antohomadinika district of Antananarivo, his work began to shape the cultural landscape from the very first decades following Madagascar’s independence.

An icon of photography, Ramily remains a benchmark for silver gelatin printing in medium and large formats. His work reached its peak from the 1970s through to the late 1990s. He ended his career in 2003, the year he suffered a heart attack. Ramily passed away on 26 March 2017 in Antananarivo, leaving behind hundreds of poetic landscapes, meticulously crafted prints, iconic black-and-white photographs of weddings and ceremonial events, and above all an extraordinary passion for photography, generously shared with younger generations of photographers.
To rediscover — and to introduce — Ramily is to offer symbolic recognition of his genius and of his immense contribution to the Malagasy photographic and artistic landscape.

This exhibition is Ramily’s first monograph. It retraces the full breadth of his photographic œuvre while also revealing his mastery as a darkroom technician, through the reconstruction of his studio within the walls of Hakanto Contemporary. It is also a first in presenting the entirety of his collaborations — with local businesses, families, religious and political institutions, as well as with the world of entertainment.

The exhibition unfolds in five acts:
Prelude — the retrospective of a life, an ode to family, photography and society.
- LAHATRA — DESTINY, TRANSMISSION
FROM INTIMACY TO RAMILY
The central act — a black-and-white journey through his emotional and geographical territory: Madagascar.
- MAINTY, FOTSY, SY IREO LOKO REHETRA — BLACK, WHITE AND ALL OTHER COLOURS
TSANGATSANGANA ETO ANIVON’NY TANY — RAMILY AND THE MALAGASY TERRITORY

The final act — a moment of deep emotion: the reconstruction of Ramily’s iconic Techni-Photo studio in Itaosy, so that his memory may endure.
- ANKADIFOTSY, ITAOSY SY IREO EFITRA MAINTY — DARKROOMS

Our sincere thanks go to the family for the loan of the works, and in particular to his son, Hery Rakotondrazaka, for his close collaboration.
We also extend our gratitude to all Malagasy artistic voices for their testimonies.

Ramily — the one who gave birth to daylight between black and white.
Through his images, he reveals our history, and above all, our sometimes-uncertain emotions.

Joël Andrianomearisoa
Ludonie Velotrasina
April 2022