Madagascar Debuts at 2019 Venice Biennale with Joël Andrianomearisoa

Madagascar will participate for the first time in the Venice Biennale at the 58th International Art Exhibition, running from May 11 to November 24, 2019. The Malagasy Pavilion will be located in the Arsenale, among the first national pavilions after the international exhibition curated by Ralph Rugoff. The artist representing Madagascar is Joël Andrianomearisoa (born 1977 in Antananarivo), whose practice spans sewing, design, video, photography, scenography, architecture, installations, and visual arts. After training in Madagascar, he moved to Paris at age 20 to study at the École Spéciale d'Architecture. He belongs to a generation of contemporary Malagasy artists who have drawn international attention to Madagascar's art scene, prompting the country's Ministry of Culture to support the national pavilion project. The pavilion is curated by Rina Ralay Ranaivo and Emmanuel Daydé, supported by the associations Kantoko and Revue Noire. The concept description suggests an environmental, material installation that may involve a black paper cascade enveloping visitors in a luminous spirit.