Manifesto
TO’GUNA: (togu = shelter, na = big, great or mother, therefore toguna = great shelter)* The sacred shelter under which the elders of the Dogon community from Mali, in West Africa, gather to discuss and exchange ideas. Through a ritualized process of discussion, it creates a physical, social, and psychological space for open communication.
Founded by Pierre-Christophe Gam, TOGUNA WORLD is an international art and research platform dedicated to decolonial futures and collective imagination. Dedicated to expanding speculative world-building across disciplines, addressing questions of ecological futures, digital consciousness, cultural memory, and the evolving relationship between history, mythology, and technological transformation on a planetary scale. By integrating Afrofuturist thought, indigenous epistemologies, and transdisciplinary research, it challenges existing paradigms and opens pathways for radical imagination, institutional collaborations, and large-scale cultural shifts that empower communities to actively shape their futures.
The Babalawo
Pierre-Christophe Gam is a contemporary conceptual artist working across immersive installation, moving image, and participatory world-building. His practice explores imagination as a collective and political force, using art to rehearse alternative futures at the intersection of mythology, technology, and social inquiry. Trained in architecture at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and Central Saint Martins in London, Gam creates large-scale works that merge spatial design, ritual, and speculative storytelling. Drawing from his transnational heritage (Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, and Congo) and the West African Griot tradition, he transforms communal memory and dreaming into immersive environments where audiences actively participate in future-making.
A recipient of the prestigious Unity for Humanity award, and a former research fellow at the MIT Open Documentary Lab, his work has been showcased at leading international platforms including Ars Electronica, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Onassis Stegi, the Vitra Design Museum, Addis Foto Fest, the Dubai Future Forum, CPH doc and Lagos Photo fest. Gam has collaborated with institutions such as Harvard Graduate School of Design, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan and the Prince Claus Foundation, curating and leading programs that explore the intersections of design, storytelling, and technological speculation.
What's up Dreamers?
Thank you for your interest in contacting The TOGUNA team. Due to the high volume of emails
received, we are unfortunately unable to respond to each one individually, but rest assured
that we read everything and will reply as soon as we can to follow-up on ideas, stories and
insights that catch our eye.
CONTRIBUTORS:
We are always looking for engaging contributors around the world. We welcome targeted, relevant
and concise information and pitches for a global dream “awaken” audience. We will follow-up if
your ideas fit any stories we are working on. Please refrain from sending through high-res images
and content with very large file sizes as these tend to clog up our email inboxes
Please introduce yourself and share your story ideas here: stories@togunaworld.com.
INTERNSHIPS:
At this time, we are seeking Lagos, Joburg, Addis Ababa, London and US based interns in college
or university with graphic, video, photography, writing and/or journalism experience and training.
Please introduce yourself here with a CV, writing samples and story ideas interns@togunaworld.com