Exploring Creative Identity and Artistic Singularity
Moderator: Emily Gonneau.
Speakers: Aura Anahita, Lola Levent, and Imed Alibi.
This session will be a conversation between artist managers and creative directors Aura Anahita and Lola Levent and Imed Alibi, moderated by Emily Gonneau. This masterclass will dive into the essential role that creative direction and management play in shaping an artist’s identity. Aura, Imed and Lola will share their experiences working with artists to develop a unique visual and sonic world that truly reflects who they are. They will discuss how artists can embrace their individuality, stay consistent with their vision, and make artistic choices that strengthen their brand. The session will also explore the balance between creative freedom and industry expectations, as well as practical strategies to stand out in an increasingly competitive landscape. Through real-life case studies and personal insights, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to build a strong artistic foundation that supports long-term career development.
Speaker Bios
Emily Gonneau
After 4 years at EMI, French-British Emily Gonneau founded Unicum Music, her own label & publishing company (2009), Nüagency a digital agency specialised in music & culture (2013), and Causa, a modern agora for forward-thinking conversations at the intersection of music, innovation and social change (2023). The 3 entities are now reunited within the üni goup which Emily heads.
Author of "L'Artiste, le Numérique et la Musique", published by the Centre National de la Musique (CNM) and currently enjoying its 3rd edition (2023), Emily is also the Conference Curator for MaMA Invent, as well as a member of the CNM’s Innovation Commission and a Keychange 2022 Innovator.
She is also the Co/Founder of 2 non-profits aiming to transform the French music industry: La Nouvelle Onde (awards & organisation championing the industry’s under 30 year old movers and shakers since 2018), and Change de disque (focused on fixing the French music industry's rampant sexism and discrimination).
Aura Anahita
Aura Anahita is an independent curator, event and tour producer, artist manager and consultant in arts management based in Marseille (France). She holds a Master’s degree in arts management from Paris-Dauphine University.
Before launching her own projects, she has worked for various organisations operating in the cultural sector in France, ranging from concert venues, music festivals, alternative cultural spaces to French institutions. She also served as a deputy cultural attaché in Egypt for two years.
Aura Anahita is founder of Mahalla, a production house and curatorial platform for emerging music from South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA). She is also co-founder of French record label Total Totem.
Lola Levent
Lola Levent (1995, Paris) is a poet, creatively director and founder of music agency and label diva404. She completed her master degree in Arts and Literature. After she specialized in communications through her work with various media, music labels and independent artists in music and contemporary art, she engaged in the #metoo movement occurring in the French music industry in 2020 and decided to use her time and energy to help develop the careers of artists who identify as female and queer. To her, art shouldn't be made at the expense of a community or gender.
Imed Alibi
Imed Alibi is a distinguished Tunisian / French based musician, composer, and cultural expert whose career spans over two decades. His multifaceted expertise includes music performance and composition, artistic direction, cultural management, and consultancy on numerous international projects. A
A key figure in the Tunisian cultural landscape, Alibi served as the director of the Carthage International Festival مهرجان قرطاج الدولي one of the most prestigious cultural events in Tunisia. In this role, he was instrumental in reshaping the festival's programming and initiating efforts to archive and preserve its rich history. His strategic vision extended beyond artistic direction to include partnership development and fundraising, securing support from both public and private sectors.
In 2019, Alibi further cemented his influence in the Tunisian and Arab music scene by serving as the director of Carthage Music Days. His leadership in this role significantly contributed to the development of the Tunisian music export market, enhancing the visibility of local artists on the international stage. Additionally, he was the director of the Sousse International Percussion Festival for three years .
Alibi's expertise has been sought after by numerous prestigious organizations and events worldwide. He has served as a jury member and expert for events like Visa for Music in Morocco, Babel Music XP in Marseille, and the Music in Africa Foundation and recently as subject matter expert for Abu Dhabi department of culture and tourism for Masary program.His participation as speaker in international festivals and conferences, including WOMEX in Lisbon ,MaMA Music Convention in Paris Arabesques, university of Cagliari in Italy , Toronto International Festival and the Al Ula Future Cultural Summit, showcases his deep understanding of the global music industry and his ability to foster international collaboration.
His involvement with UNESCO in Morocco reflects his commitment to using music as a tool for cultural diplomacy and social change. Alibi's work with cultural institutions in France, particularly his role as an artistic advisor with Le Silo in the Occitanie region, has given him profound insights into the importance of decentralized culture and the role of regional cultural significance in fostering local and international partnerships.
As the head of the music department at the Atelier des Artistes en Exil in Pari ( 2013/2024) Alibi focuses on using music to promote social inclusion, foster international relations, and encourage cultural diplomacy.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the arts, Imed Alibi was honored as a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by Roselyne Bachelot, the French Minister of Culture, in 2021.
