Launching a Print Magazine in 2025: A Bold Venture
Launching a print magazine in 2025 is a risky bet, largely driven by its founder, Faten Fellah. "Sens" is its title, a bilingual magazine in Arabic and English dedicated to the artistic and visual scene in Tunisia, North Africa, and the Arab world. This scene is constantly bubbling with creativity. Published biannually, thick, and designed with eco-responsible paper, this first issue has introduced new writers, critics, and journalists.
The iron will of its founder and contributors has given birth to this publication, which has all the assets to become a lasting reference. Faten Fellah, its young founder, reveals the behind-the-scenes of this adventure.
The Press: An Interview with Faten Fellah
You have an eclectic background that doesn't necessarily have a direct connection with the arts or cultural journalism, yet you've managed to launch "Sens," dedicated to contemporary art and various disciplines. What triggered this promising editorial project? The project was conceived in 2021. In 2022, I started working on it, giving it life. Everything began when I found myself surrounded by artists from different disciplines, especially graffiti artists who create extraordinary murals in the streets. I observed, discussed, and exchanged ideas with them, taking notes and publishing information about them online, along with attractive photos. I enjoyed doing this, and as I continued, thanks to the magic of digital media, I indirectly found myself promoting them, putting them in the spotlight, mainly on social networks. What I did brought them happiness and satisfaction. Through images, text, and design, the work finally came to life, ensuring me infinite recognition. I realized that we didn't have a publication or magazine that covers the artistic world in the South, which is vast and rich. This lack of editorial coverage eventually pushed me to take it seriously and commit to it.
The idea imposed itself through a combination of circumstances. How did the concretization of the project begin? I directly started looking for incubation programs, calls for applications in training programs launched by foundations that work for the sustainability of emerging, impactful projects in all fields. My project was the only one with an artistic vocation. I had to fight hard to explain, present, and insist on the necessity of supporting artists. I focused on the feasibility of market studies, financing, and thanks to structures that trained me, "Verd'art / Sens" was born, despite the reluctance of some incubators and specialists who didn't consider themselves experts in artistic projects and were unable to guarantee the project's success. I defended it, starting by making it visible online before the paper version was published later. The support provided to artists began voluntarily by creating portfolios, curating, managing, finding workspaces, etc. I wanted to support them first and foremost. Initially, I acted as an intermediary, which led to the publication of "Sens." Some emerging artists even managed to sell their first painting during an exhibition. I take them under my wing, support them, and it has borne fruit.
When you approached the artists at the beginning, you were doing everything except journalism. Yet, four years later, a magazine was born, and now it's on sale in all kiosks. You could have followed a different path. The digital effect. We were very visible. There were many interactions, expressed interest, and a community began to take shape, with a significant audience or readership present and visible online. This provided a solid base for a print magazine to emerge. Professionals offered their collaboration spontaneously.
The collaboration with Algerian photographer and documentarian Wafaa Soltane was memorable and useful. Together, we worked on a relevant topic around "football in vacant lots." A mission that lasted 2 weeks! She took photos, and we wrote. At that stage, we managed to publish a photo book with an exhibition. My first test in the world of editing was successfully completed after this encounter. I called upon temporary collaborators, a translator, and about a dozen writers. "Sens" is distributed in galleries, bookstores, and foundations in Tunisia, and I export it to Europe and the Arab world. Its publication has sparked interest abroad. The magazine clearly resonates.
Why did you choose to publish it in Arabic and English? To better target the art universe in the Arab world. Assuming this choice means recognizing our Arabic language. English is very important these days, even primordial. Through these two languages, high-quality content has emerged. It announces the news of cultural actors, structures, and their contributions. We are on the lookout for information. In 2 years, publishing a filled magazine is important. We take the time necessary to create quality content.
