Hedi El Kholti (born 24 February 1967 in Rabat, Morocco) is a Moroccan‑born American writer, editor, and visual artist based in Los Angeles. He is best known for his long‑standing involvement with the independent literary press Semiotext(e), where he serves as co‑editor alongside Chris Kraus and the late Sylvère Lotringer. El Kholti also edits Semiotext(e)’s occasional intellectual journal Animal Shelter.
Early life and education
El Kholti emigrated to the United States in 1992, initially working in the film industry for several years before pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, which he completed in 2000.
Career
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Publishing: After graduating, El Kholti became a partner at Dilettante Press, a short‑lived imprint focused on experimental writing. He later joined Semiotext(e), contributing to its reputation for avant‑garde and politically engaged titles. As co‑editor, he has overseen publications by prominent theorists and artists, and curates the Animal Shelter series, which presents thematic anthologies of contemporary thought.
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Writing and editing: In addition to his editorial duties, El Kholti has authored essays and contributed to various journals and exhibition catalogues. His own writing often explores themes of queerness, pop culture, and personal alienation, frequently employing collage‑based visual strategies.
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Artistic practice: As a visual artist, El Kholti creates collaged works that have been exhibited at institutions such as the Hammer Museum (Los Angeles), The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, and international venues including Kölnischer Kunstverein in Cologne. His art has been featured in group shows and solo exhibitions associated with contemporary art galleries.
Personal life
Since around 2012, El Kholti has been in a relationship with Irish novelist Colm Tóibín; the couple resides in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Selected bibliography
- Animal Shelter series (editor), Semiotext(e) – ongoing anthology series featuring contributions from writers and artists on diverse intellectual topics.
- Contributions to exhibition catalogues such as Made in L.A. 2020: a version (Hammer Museum).
El Kholti’s work straddles literary publishing, critical theory, and visual art, positioning him as an influential figure within contemporary avant‑garde circles.