Over time, words slowly fade into oblivion, while the body retains the imprints of the rhythm and bewitching vibrations of lullabies. Joël Andrianomearisoa weaves a new narrative in the middle spaces of Berlin’s Ifa Gallery, in search of new words. Between murmurs, lullabies and whispers, the artist plunges the gallery into a light, gently bewitching atmosphere until September 1. In his first solo show in Germany, entitled “Measures Lullabies and Whispers“, the Madagascan artist draws on memories of his childhood, drawing inspiration from a lullaby his grandmother used to sing to him before falling asleep, Iny Hono Izy Ravorombazaha (the white bird).
Curated by Meriem Berrada and Alya Sebti, in collaboration with the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, “Measures Lullabies and Whispers” invites the public to plunge into the rhythm of lullabies and the power of memory. These soothing melodies, handed down from generation to generation, evoke a deep sense of connection and belonging. From the intimacy evoked by lullabies to their healing power, it is through a poetic exploration that Joël Andrianomearisoa invites us to journey to the heart of this site-specific installation.
For his new exhibition, the contemporary artist surprises visitors by proposing a binary spatial configuration that adds depth to the installations. Participants are invited to follow the original pathway imagined by Joël Andrianomearisoa within the gallery. They discover letters evoking his childhood lullaby, delicately arranged along a monumental wall that disrupts the space. The architecture and the artist’s creative poetics give life to an exclusive journey, rendering complex and ambiguous what seemed obvious at first glance. Beyond the words, the public is drawn into the meanders of a gigantic black paper installation, an emblematic signature of his art. Evoking the Labyrinth of Passions presented at the 2019 Venice Biennale, Joël Andrianomearisoa’s installation is both dense and fragile, contaminating the space with its melodic ambivalence.
Continuing his lyrical exploration, the artist turns to a traditional Malagasy technique of embroidery on fabric. Manifesto of a Rupture, created in collaboration with artisans in Antananarivo, offers an unconventional rendering that incorporates elements such as raffia, Madagascar’s emblematic plant fiber. In a minimalist, almost tone-on-tone palette, the embroidered words become almost impossible to read, transforming ancestral gestures into narrative forms.
The enchanting rhythm of the lullaby, the soundtrack to the “Measures Lullabies and Whispers” exhibition, guides visitors to the back of the room, where an exclusive video installation awaits. This film, projected at the back of the room and shot entirely in Antananarivo, opens up new expressive perspectives in Joël Andrianomearisoa’s artistic practice. Entitled “Please Sing Me My Song Before You Go“, this work interweaves processes of writing on matter, text and architecture, creating imagery that blurs the spatio-temporal boundaries of narrative.
The “Measures Lullabies and Whispers” exhibition offers a captivating emotional and sensory journey, where the artist’s lullabies and whispers blend to weave a spellbinding narrative. Through his artistic installations, Joël Andrianomearisoa manages to capture the very essence of these gentle, intimate measures, inviting visitors to plunge into a poetic universe where past and present intertwine harmoniously. An immersive and unsettling experience that reveals the depth and complexity of his creative language, between reminiscences of a distant childhood and bold contemporary expressions.
