October 27, 2023
WoEgypt

The third edition of the annual international art exhibition, “Forever Is Now,” has been inaugurated at the Pyramids of Giza. This event features 14 artists from around the world who creatively interpret the Giza pyramids and ancient Egypt through contemporary artworks, blurring the boundaries between past and present. Their creations offer timeless reflections across a vast timeline.

In 2021, Nadine Abdel Ghaffar launched Forever Is Now, a pioneering exhibition at the 4500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site, the Pyramids of Giza. It’s the first contemporary art display in this ancient location, which makes it truly exceptional, bringing global artists together to reflect on the enduring legacy of this captivating architectural wonder. The exhibtion explores timeless themes bridging Egypt’s ancient heritage with the contemporary world, honoring human civilization and artistry.

Here is the work of the participating artists in Forever is Now III:

Treasures | Azza Al Qubaisi – UAE

Photo @mo4network

A piece representing a journey that effortlessly captures the mysteries, shapes, patterns and textures of the desert landscape, colliding with the cultural memories, stories, and motifs from the past. The work uses materials that reflect the surrounding nature through earthy colours. It allows viewers to become immersed in the experience of walking between the artwork and the lines of the sand dunes to reach the pyramid while seeing their reflection like an inner journey into their own life.
Treasures | Mild steel, stainless steel | 750 x 750 x 200 cm | 2022 & 2023

TEMPLE •I• | Stéphane Breuer – France

Photo @mo4network

‘TEMPLE •I•’ is a suspended golden triangle, appearing ethereal and divine, offering a luminous vision of pure light within space. It serves as a symbol in the landscape, urging viewers to pause and reflect on both the external world and their inner selves with gratitude. Through unseen technology, viewers can connect with this icon via their phones and receive a digital token of their presence, bridging the gap between the present moment and eternity.

TEMPLE •I• | Gold PVD stainless steel, magnets, NFC chip, POAP, Emotional AI | Dimensions: 2 x 1.30 m | 2023.

Inside Out Giza | JR – France

Photo @mo4network

‘Inside Out Giza 2022/2023’ marked the Inside Out Photo Booth’s installation in Egypt, attracting over 3,600 participants to the pyramid-shaped interactive installation during the second edition of Forever Is Now in 2022. Each participant received a large-scale black and white portrait, pasted onto a billboard, creating a temporary visual dialogue with the majestic Great Pyramids of Giza. This year, in a grander display against the timeless backdrop of the monuments, these portraits will collectively engage in a conversation with the UNESCO world heritage site.

Inside Out Giza 2022/2023 | Material: Paper glued on wood frame | 130 portraits (65 on each side), Dimensions: 20 x 4.5 m | Created in 2023.

As Above, So Below (Dome of Starry Sky) | Mohamed Banawy – Egypt

Photo @mo4network

‘As Above, So Below (Dome of Starry Sky)’ draws inspiration from ancient Egypt’s cosmic principles, which interweave material existence with spiritual realms, mirroring the confessions of the Egyptian Goddess Maat. These confessions embody the essential laws of balance and harmony, rescuing the world from chaos and darkness.

As Above, So Below (Dome of Starry Sky) | Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 10 m, base thickness 20-30 cm | Created in 2023.

Reality is Timeless | Rashid Al Khalifa – Bahrain

Photo @mo4network

“Reality is Timeless” explores the interplay of time and discovery inspired by ancient mythology. Al Khalifa crafts fragments of a labyrinth, emerging from the ground at various angles. Each piece showcases motifs from the diagram of the Egyptian labyrinth presented by the 17th-century scholar Anthanasius Kircher in his book Turris Babel (1679). The perforated motifs on the copper and brass exterior oxidize beautifully, casting intricate shadows of light on the ground.

Reality is Timeless | Steel frame with perforated electroplated aluminium, brass & copper | Dimensions: 18,000 x 900 cm | Wall fragments: 500 x 200 x 40 cm (2 pieces); 400 x 200 x 30 cm (8 pieces); 200 x 300 x 30 cm (2 pieces) | Created in 2023.

The Ghost Temple | Sam Shendi – Egypt/UK

Photo @mo4network

‘The Ghost Temple’ delves into the lasting impact of Ancient Egyptian civilization, demonstrating that imagination transcends time. Although the physical remnants may have diminished, their statements echo with strength and power. This artwork illustrates the ability to envision structures long gone, capturing the energy and spirit that once permeated the atmosphere.

The Ghost Temple | Material: Steel | Dimensions: 4.22 x 3 m | Created in 2023.

Translucent Pyramid | Rashed Al Shashai  – Saudi Arabia

Photo @mo4network

‘Translucent Pyramid’ honors Egypt’s ancient craft of wicker weaving, paying tribute to the historical significance of pyramids while offering a modern perspective on their impact on regional development. This installation underscores the importance of preserving traditional techniques while promoting innovation and creativity. It advocates for sustainable practices rooted in centuries-old methods. This site-specific artwork weaves a seamless narrative between the past and the present, merging the boundaries between traditional and contemporary, reshaping our understanding of art, heritage, science, and sustainable living.

Translucent Pyramid | Mixed-media installation | Dimensions: 6 x 8 x 8 m | Created in 2023.

Mirror Gate | Pilar Zeta – Argentina

Photo @mo4network

‘Mirror Gate’ draws inspiration from Egypt’s ancient mysticism, employing limestone as its material. The checkerboard pathway, representing duality, guides toward a mirror egg, symbolizing limitless potential and self-exploration. Adjacent to the installation, a limestone pyramid and a sphere juxtapose different temporal realms.

Mirror Gate | Dimensions: Length 8.64 m, Width 1.80-3.60 m | Created in 2023.

Meditation on Light | Dionysios – Greece

Photo @mo4network

‘Meditation on Light’ portrays Apollo, the god of light, engaging in a dialogue with Ra’a, the god of the sun, shaping a geometrical form that traces the sun’s path from dusk to dawn. Within this trajectory, their spoken words weave prayers, forming a golden carpet at the base of the Pyramids of Giza. Dionysios employs AI to craft diverse invocations on the theme of light. Stepping onto the golden carpet, the observer transitions into a participant, fully immersed in the landscape, challenged to discern the seemingly bare elements.

Meditation on Light | Materials: Acrylic, gold-plated brass leaves on linen, wooden base | Dimensions: 8 x 4 m | Created in 2023.

Horizon | Costas Varotsos – Greece

Photo @mo4network

“Horizon” highlights the intricate relationship between the Nile River and the Giza Pyramids Plateau, accentuating the global impact of the Pyramids of Giza. This innovative horizon is delineated by eight interconnected circles representing the world’s revolutions. Inspired by the celestial dome and the cycle of life, depicted through the circle’s geometry, these concepts echo the historical significance of the pyramids. The artwork’s materials incorporate natural elements from the surrounding environment, forging a tangible connection. Ultimately, the concept of the horizon not only defines space but also signifies a profound attitude towards life.

Horizon | Material: Glass | 8 circle sculptures, Dimensions: 1.85m x 0.06m x 0.08mm | Created in 2023.

Egyptian Woman in the Form of the Goddess Hathor | Carol Feuerman – US

Photo @mo4network

“Egyptian Woman in the Form of the Goddess Hathor” showcases Feuerman’s modern portrayal of Hathor, embodying the goddess’s essence through a contemporary woman. Hathor, a significant figure in Egyptian mythology, is symbolically linked with water and fertility. Feuerman aims to capture the graceful fluidity associated with Hathor in this artwork.

Egyptian Woman in the Form of the Goddess Hathor | Patinated bronze

RA | Sabine Marcelis – Netherlands

Photo @mo4network

‘RA’ returns to the birthplace of the sundial, incorporating laminated solar glass into a functional sculpture that harmonizes with the elements. Operating independently off the grid, it captures solar energy to illuminate the gnomon after dark. Throughout the day, the artwork creates a dynamic pattern of light, transforming with the changing hours.

RA | Material: Laminated solar glass | Dimensions: 1194 x 717 x 4200 mm | Created in 2023.

Lupine Aurora | Arne Quinze – Belgium

Photo @mo4network

‘Lupine Aurora’ is a circular sculpture crafted from lupine, delving into the intricate interplay of nature’s strength and fragility. Inspired by Egypt’s profound cultural heritage, where the sun held paramount importance, this artwork symbolizes the sun’s vital role in life. The circular design signifies the recurring cycle of day and night, echoing the relationship between planets and the sun in our solar system.

Lupine Aurora | Material: Aluminium | Dimensions: 500 x 500 cm | Created in 2023.

Observatory Meta Oiko | Arthur Lescher – Brazil

Photo @mo4network

The core concept behind ‘Observatory’ is to shift the scales, offering a fresh perspective on the splendid pyramids and reevaluating human scale through a unique lens, referencing the interior of the pyramids.

Observatory Meta Oiko | Materials: Stainless steel & carbon steel | Dimensions: 370 x 378 x 378 cm | Created in 2023.

This exhibition operates under the patronage of UNESCO and the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscoring its significance as a bridge between modern art and historical legacy.

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