Tohu

National Network
Israel
Address

Merkaz Ba'alei Ha'melacha 42, apartment 4
Tel-Aviv-Jaffa 6382445
Israel

Telephone
+972-54-247-6335
Telephone (other)
+972-50-653-8448
E-Mail
press@tohumagazine.com
E-Mail (2)
tohumagazine@gmail.com
Organisation Type
Public/Private Non-Profit Foundation
Year of Establishment
2015
Fields of Activity
  1. Arts
  2. Democracy and community development
  3. Media
  4. Research
General Information
Tohu is a non-profit organization, registered in Israel (RN 580613073). It was founded in August of 2015 by Avi Lubin (curator) and Leah Abir (curator). The organization's primary activity is Tohu Magazine - an independent online art magazine published in three languages: Hebrew, Arabic, and English. The editorial board consists of a mixed group of Jewish and Arab curators, artists, scholars and translators: Nadeem Karkabi, PhD (Jerusalem), Rula Khoury, curator (Haifa & NYC), Alma Mikulinsky, PhD (Toronto), Orit Bulgaro, PhD, and Nir Harel, artist (Tel-Aviv-Jaffa), all of whom volunteer their time to the organization. There are four paid employees: editors and translators to English and to Arabic, a designer, and a marketing person. Also, Tohu pays article contributors per text. Tohu does not receive any government funds, and is supported by private donations and public foundations. Tohu’s annual budget is $73,600.
Mission and Objectives

Tohu is dedicated to the promotion of art and culture in Israel/Palestine and the region. The platform encourages new collaborations between artists and writers worldwide and specifically in the Middle East, presenting a channel for new encounters and discussions on current developments in art practices and theoretical research. We believe that an engaged exchange of thoughts and ideas concerning all aspects of arts could greatly impact the region. We are committed to open and democratic forms of communication. We aim to create a conversation that takes into consideration the various contexts in which artists are working, be they political, social, artistic, historical, or cultural, to name a few. Tohu’s network structure is based on relations and contacts with other institutions and individuals around the world, promoting conversations around the published materials.

Main Projects / Activities

Established in 2015, Tohu Magazine promotes clear and engaged original writing on art and culture (essays, critiques, interviews, columns), as well as visual content created by local and international artists. This is a new and unique platform, whose content is offered free of charge to all readers.  The first of its kind, Tohu magazine brings together a diverse group of writers and artists who are active in various fields of the art world, in order to generate a thriving multicultural dialogue and a meaningful and accessible corpus of art writing from Israel/Palestine and beyond. In addition to the magazine, the group is currently engaged in the organization of several public events (conferences, talks, studio visits). The first conference, held on April 2017 in Herzliya, focused on the concepts of Afro-futurism and Arab-futurism and their implications in a Palestinian/Israeli context.

How can you contribute to the Network in your country?

Tohu can contribute to the local ALF network by further engaging in collaborations and in enhancing modes of cooperation between individuals and local organizations within ALF. The magazine’s activities lead to meaningful encounters between different art scenes, and have already become a valuable platform in the local one; we receive many collaboration offers from institutions, based on texts and artwork published in the magazine. As Tohu Magazine is a vehicle for ideas, discussions, and initiatives related local contemporary culture and discourse, we believe that with other ALF organizations it would be easier to expand these disciplines to the areas of education, human rights, and other ALF-connected aspirations.

Why do you want to join the ALF Network?

The AFL Network can help Tohu with its mission and goals by opening new opportunities for local and regional cooperation. We share common ground with the regional ufM ideals and course, as the magazine, as are writing and contemporary art in general, are a means to an end, vehicles,  platforms, for the building of bridges between peoples, groups, and identities in the Middle East and within a wider geopolitical context.
Tohu’s existence is at risk due to the lack of funding. Every year, and every day, we need to raise financial resources and contributions to keep going. We believe that by furthering our relationships with other organisations and with individuals who share a common goal we would be able to find those resources, not just for the next moment but also for larger projects that require long-term commitment.

Contact (1) Full Name
Hagai Ulrich
Job Title
writer & marketing
Head of the organisation
Leah Abir, Avi Lubin