Discover the enigmatic world of Madagascar through the lens of Rijasolo, a masterful photojournalist whose passion for capturing the island's nightlife reveals a starkly different, almost mystical side of its daily life. In this extensive profile, Rijasolo shares his journey from a self-taught photographer to becoming a renowned figure in photojournalism, drawing inspiration from the subtle interplay of shadow and light that characterizes the Malagasy night. From the bustling, dimly lit streets to the quiet moments of introspection and survival, explore how Rijasolo's work not only documents but deeply connects with the spirit of Madagascar, offering a unique perspective on its people, culture, and the transformative power of photography.
Under the gentle luminescence of Madagascar’s night, the contours of daily life take on a different hue—a world less seen but deeply felt. This is where Rijasolo, born Rija Randrianasolo on a crisp autumn day in Strasbourg, France, finds his muse. The night, with its sparse, rare luminosity, draws him into its embrace, where he captures the fleeting shadows and faces of Malagasy nightlife. Rijasolo’s journey into photography wasn’t scripted from the start; it emerged from a blend of serendipity and a deep-rooted passion for the visual arts.
The Early Days
Rijasolo’s narrative began far from the dusky streets of Antananarivo, in the structured environments of France. Despite his birth in Europe, the pull of his ancestral land was irresistible. As a child, he was fascinated by drawing and the stories that visuals could tell. He remembers his transformative moment distinctly: “It was 1995 during a journey in Kenya with my father’s Nikon F401. I took pictures of elephants and lions. It was an unbelievable experience!” This first touch with photography ignited a passion that would define his career.
After high school, desiring to pursue comic book art, Rijasolo found himself at a crossroads. The visual arts beckoned, but it was photography that ultimately captured his imagination. He recalls, "I always try to practice a visual art. As soon as I got a job, I had the means to buy a camera, and it was a real revelation for me. As if I had a new power in my hands."
The Turn to Professional Photography
Rijasolo’s professional turn came after an inspiring encounter with the works of Sebastião Salgado. "I was living in London a few years ago and went to visit Salgado’s Genesis exhibit at the Natural History Museum. Most documentary photo projects tend to be quite gritty and raw. Salgado, on the other hand, seemingly combines documentary with fine art photography." This experience propelled him to take an evening photography class at Central Saint Martins, which led to more serious studies with the Magnum agency.
By 2004, the longing for his homeland grew irresistible. He packed his Leica M6 and 200 black and white films and headed to Madagascar. This trip was pivotal. “When I returned to France, I spent whole nights developing my negatives, working on my contact sheets, making my prints. It was a great pleasure to be able to keep track of this country,” he shares. His work was soon recognized, and in 2005, he was selected to exhibit at the Biennale of African Photography in Bamako, a validation that spurred him to embrace photography full-time.
Capturing the Night
Rijasolo’s fascination with the Malagasy night is about more than aesthetics. It’s about the transformation that descends upon places and people once the sun sets. “The streets, pavements, and buildings are plunged into an almost eerie darkness. People walk differently, faster, as if afraid of being caught out by the unexpected,” he describes. His project "Malagasy" explores this alternate nocturnal world where the rules change and life unfolds with a raw, unfiltered urgency.
This series not only showcases Rijasolo’s deep connection to his cultural heritage but also highlights his unique approach to photography. He prefers the minimal light sources of the night— a streetlamp, a car’s headlights, or a neon sign of a local hotely— crafting images that are both spontaneous and deeply composed. His method is less about capturing what he sees and more about capturing what he feels.
© Rijasolo
Influence and Inspiration
His work is heavily influenced by other photographers, though he strives to maintain his own style. “I admire the work of Raymond Depardon, Sebastao Salgado, and Alex Webb for their mastery in color and documentary storytelling. I also draw a lot from Eastern photographers like Klavdij Sluban and Igor Posner,” he notes. This eclectic mix of influences helps him explore the boundaries of photojournalism and fine art photography, ensuring his work remains fresh and emotionally resonant.
The Technical Side
Rijasolo’s toolkit is as refined as his photographic approach. A staunch Leica enthusiast, he appreciates the compactness and the intuitive design of these cameras, which complement his need to merge into his surroundings without disturbance. “I also work with a Canon Eos 5D for certain types of reporting where the equipment needs to be robust yet versatile,” he adds.
Looking Ahead
As Madagascar navigates another presidential election, Rijasolo is there, documenting each moment with the keen eye of both an insider and a storyteller. Beyond the political upheaval, he continues to explore the night, capturing the ongoing dance between shadow and light.
His latest project, "La Cité d'Espérance du Père Pedro," commissioned by a French publisher, is set to exhibit at the Institut Français de Madagascar and at the Addis Foto Fest in Ethiopia. These exhibitions promise to delve deeper into the Malagasy spirit, showcasing the resilience and beauty of a people constantly adapting to both internal and external changes.
Rijasolo’s work is more than a mere chronicle of events; it’s a poetic journey through the heart of Madagascar, told through the lens of one of its most passionate observers. His story continues to unfold one frame at a time, inviting us to look deeper and perhaps see the world a little differently—under the dim, revealing lights of the Malagasy night.
