Hakanto Contemporary

Born from a shared passion for contemporary Malagasy art, Hakanto Contemporary emerged in Antananarivo 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 on September 15th, 2024, 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. Each season unfolds around a captivating theme, with the space undergoing a metamorphosis to reflect the essence of each exploration. While the inaugural season addresses the question of the family, the next promises a poetic and daring examination of love in all its forms.

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.”

This dedicated venue breathes new life where – in the words of Hasnaine Yavarhoussen – “generations, social classes, and cultural backgrounds meet around the most precious thing we have to share beauty, emotion, and art.”