Within the framework of highlighting the power of art and its ability to connect the past with the present and heritage with innovation, the fifth “Forever Is Now” exhibition has been launched today in in the Giza Pyramids Plateau and runs until December 6th. It is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, in collaboration with UNESCO.
“Forever Is Now”, organized by “Art D’Égypte by Culturvator”, continues its role in building connectivity between contemporary art and ancient Egyptian history. Ten artists from ten countries will showcase their own visions on eternity through works ranging from sculptures to art installations. They weave threads that connect the past with the present in order to create a visual dialogue that transcends borders. Additionally, they express concepts of transcendence, hope, and the human endeavor to leave a valuable impact, so that pyramids; the ultimate symbol of eternity, become a source of inspiration, as well as a space where cultures blend, and times and creativity converge.
Art D’Égypte founder, Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, stated, “Celebrating the fifth ‘Forever Is Now’ exhibition holds a unique significance; standing before the pyramids reminds us of our main objective; connecting ancient heritage with contemporary art. Five years ago, it was just a vision. Now, it has become a global dialogue that brings together artists from across the world before one of the most iconic historical landmarks”. Abd el Ghaffar added, “Each edition highlights and deepens our messages. Indeed, we’re proud of what we have achieved so far, but we also believe that these achievements are a beginning of a bigger and more inspiring journey for innovators”.
“Forever Is Now” exhibition, which is one of the most prominent artistic events in Egypt and the Arab world, features ten artists from different continents who meet under the sky of the Giza Pyramids plateau to embody the essence of cultural diversity and creative exchange. This year’s edition embodies the spirit of artistic and cultural exchange, confirming the solid commitment of ‘Art D’Égypte’ to global diversity and culture representation through art on a journey back in time to reflect on the meaning of eternity in the place where ancient man tried to embody immortality for the first time. Kings built their tombs to immortalize their presence forever.
Regarding his participation in ‘Forever Is Now’ exhibition, Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto stated, “Pyramids are the dawn and beginning of history. They symbolize the eternal desire for immortality and knowledge. Through “the Third Paradise” artwork, he tries to transcend time boundaries, bringing together threads of the past, present and future in a single fabric of human creativity”. He said that presenting his artwork before the pyramids leads to reconnecting us to our roots and inspiring the journey of humanity into a future shaped by history and the desire to leave an immortal impact.
As for his participation, Portuguese artist Alexandre Farto, aka “Vhils”, noted, “Creating an artwork alongside one of the most immortal humanitarian landmarks is an experience that evokes deep modesty and indescribable inspiration. ‘Cairo Doors’ explores memory layers in daily life details, when it comes to objects that hold faces, stories and time. Through it, I tried to think about what unites us through civilizations; in the thresholds we cross, traces we leave, and hidden burden of the shared human experience”.
Turkish artist Mert Ege declared, “At the foot of the pyramids, I don’t tell stories… I just evoke a state of being. My artwork is a ring of polished metal that captures sun, cast shadows and let wind whispers the rest of the story. It fluctuates between heaviness and lightness, as time expands and folds at the same time. I call it ‘The Shen’, which has no beginning or end. It is a constant return to the self and the world. Those who stand inside it will see the horizon reshaping itself. The artwork is not only a metal sculpture, but also a rhythm that inhabits spaces and walks through time”.
Moreover, the artistic duo, Recycle Group (France and Russia), said, “Our artwork is entitled ‘Null’, representing a multi-layered symbol, starting point, new beginning, and a rebirth of a world rising from the ashes of old systems with the launch of the fourth dimension, as well as the digital one. The “null” has a contemporary spiritual significance; it is both a negation and beginning. It is also a sign of a time in which traditional spirituality is replaced by a new digital consciousness. The plastic mesh and suspended bodies oscillate between matter and void, as well as reality and assumption, as a representation of our human state, stuck in an invisible network, where faith intersects with data, as well as soul with artificial light”.
South Korean artist Jongkyu Park aka “J.Park” stated, “I’m presenting an artwork entitled ‘Code of the Eternal’, representing a symbolic bridge between ancient civilizations; Korea and Egypt, through an encrypted message combining time and place, and imagining a dialogue between the Korean Peninsula founder and the pharaohs, in order to weave a narrative transcending eras’ boundaries and connecting two successive civilizations”. He added that exhibiting at the Pyramids holds a holds a spiritual and moral dimension. Egypt, with its living symbols, is regarded as the perfect location to highlight the Korean culture once again and celebrate enduring connection between history, language, and civilization.
Artists Alex Proba and SolidNature (USA and Netherlands) said, “Innovation at the foot of the pyramids in the ‘Forever Is Now’ exhibition means standing within the history pulse. Our artwork is entitled “Infinity Echoes”. It represents a tribute to the earth art, its colors and veins, along with transformations over thousands of years. Viewing our artwork in a dialogue with one of the greatest humanitarian achievements fills the soul with modesty and transcendence. We always remember that creativity is an infinite language, connecting time with culture and highlighting the shared humanitarian desire in order to create meaning and beauty”.
Lebanese artist Nadim Karam noted, “The ‘Desert Flowers’ emanates from the sands of the Giza Plateau, giving form to hidden and untold stories that shine brightly through time. It is a work that is made from recycled scrap metal. The three sculptures embody the echo of Egyptian history, as if it is a rebirth of a lotus flower. What time has left transforms into symbols of resilience and memory. In front of the pyramids, ‘Desert Flowers’ invites contemplation on how memory endures, stories fade, and life is reborn”.
Brazilian artist Ana Ferrari said, “Presenting my work ‘the Winds’ at the Giza Pyramids, as part of the ‘Forever Is Now’ exhibition is a great honor. In ‘the Winds’, the invisible force of the wind is transformed into a musical melody, evoking the ancient Egyptians' appreciation for sound and nature. The artwork consists of 21 aluminum flute pipes in a spiral formation reflecting the timeless desert landscape. It blends art, science, and spirituality, and invites the public to listen to nature’s voice, in an experience that connects humanity and universe within a dialogue that transcends time”.
Artist King Houndekpinkou (Benin and France) tackles his artwork ‘the White Statue Totem’, saying: “This work is the biggest ceramic piece I have created so far. It’s an honor to exhibit at the Giza Plateau, in front of the Great Pyramids. As a ceramic artist who started working on artistic projects composed of small and intimate pieces, this artwork is regarded as a return and transformation at the same time. It seems like an intimate gesture on a massive scale. I finished the work in Cairo. Indeed, it harmonizes with the timeless presence of the pyramids, as well as the vast desert landscape. Hence, it allows me to delve into the enduring spirit of Egypt and its inspiring legacy”.
Egyptian Artist Salha Al-Masry tackles her participation in the exhibition, stating: “Through my work ‘Ma’at’, I try to transform a piece of royal jewelry from a symbol of individual power into a shared space, in order to rethink of the meaning of justice and truth. Additionally, the seal is transformed from a tool used to impose orders into a window opening onto a wider horizon. Through it, I evoke the principles of ‘Ma’at’, as a symbol for the balance between chaos and order, and the past and present, as well as the king’s power when the essence of humanity is born”.
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