A monographic exhibition dedicated to Emile Rakotondrazaka, known as Ramily (1939–2017)

A retrospective exhibition shaped by memory, emotion and tribute

RAMILY

ILAY NANAO NY MARAINA

BETWEEN RETROSPECTIVE, EMOTION AND TRIBUTE

Ramily, affectionately known as Dadamily, is regarded as the father of contemporary black-and-white photography in Madagascar.

This exhibition offers a space and a moment in which to celebrate the genius of a photographer, a pioneer of modern black-and-white photography and an exceptional master of the photographic laboratory.

Born on 25 September 1939 in the Antohomadinika district of Antananarivo, Ramily's work contributed significantly to the cultural landscape of Madagascar from the earliest decades of the country's independence.

An iconic figure in photography, Ramily remains a benchmark in silver-gelatin printing, particularly in medium and large formats. His work reached its peak from the 1970s through to the late 1990s. He ended his career in 2003 following a heart attack and passed away on 26 March 2017 in Antananarivo.

He left behind hundreds of poetic landscapes, meticulously crafted prints, the black-and-white images of weddings and significant life events, and above all an extraordinary passion for photography that he generously transmitted to younger generations of photographers.

To rediscover—and to introduce anew—Ramily is to acknowledge both the brilliance of his work and his immense contribution to Madagascar's photographic and artistic landscape.

This exhibition is the first monographic presentation dedicated to Ramily. It retraces the breadth of his photographic practice while also highlighting his remarkable skills as a laboratory technician through the reconstruction of his studio within the walls of Hakanto Contemporary.

It is also the first occasion on which his numerous collaborations with local businesses, family enterprises, religious institutions, political organisations and the world of entertainment are brought together and presented as a whole.

The exhibition unfolds across five acts:

- LAHATRA, DESTINÉE, TRANSMISSION

As a prelude, the retrospective of a life—an ode to family, photography and society.

- 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 the other colours.

- TSANGATSANGANA ETO ANIVON'NY TANY

Ramily and the Malagasy territory.

- ANKADIFOTSY, ITAOSY SY IREO EFITRA MAINTY

The final act and a deeply emotional moment: the reconstruction of Ramily's iconic Techni-Photo studio in Itaosy, so that his memory may endure against the passage of time.

Our heartfelt thanks go to the family for the loan of the works, and especially to his son, Hery Rakotondrazaka, for his invaluable collaboration and generosity.

We also extend our gratitude to the many Malagasy artistic voices who shared their testimonies and memories.

Ramily, the one who gave birth to the day

Between his black and his white.

He reveals our history through his images,

But above all, our sometimes uncertain emotions.

Joël Andrianomearisoa · Ludonie Velotrasina

2022