Fourth edition of Forever Is Now on view at the timeless Pyramids

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

The fourth edition of Forever Is Now, Egypt’s landmark art exhibition, has returned this October (Oct. 24 – Nov. 16), under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Experience Egypt, under the patronage of UNESCO. Organised by Art D’Egypte, Forever Is Now.04 brings together a distinguished group of 12 international artists, each contributing their individual voice to a collective dialogue, striving to transcend time and cultural boundaries. This year’s exhibition invites audiences to embark on a journey of discovery, with art serving as a bridge between history and the present day. The curatorial theme positions both artists and visitors as modern-day archaeologists, encouraging them to use creativity as their tool, to uncover hidden layers of meaning embedded in the ordinary. The use of unconventional materials underscores this approach, reminding us that, like archaeology, art too stimulates an eye for the unexpected and the good sense to accept the mundane.

Forever Is Now.04 brings together a rich diversity of cultural perspectives, with artists from the United Kingdom, Italy, South Korea, South Africa, Belgium, Lebanon, France, Egypt, India, Greece, Spain, Canada, and beyond, contributing their special narratives to what is an extraordinary artistic dialogue. The Giza Pyramids, one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, serve not only as a backdrop to the show, but are an integral part of the artistic experience, where ancient history and modern innovation blend. For the first time, this year’s exhibition features two AI parallel projects.

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The first showcases Egyptian-American artist and multidisciplinary designer, Hassan Ragab. His innovative work, supported by Meta, bridges technology and traditional art, offering a fresh perspective on how artificial intelligence can contribute to and expand the realm of creative expression. The second is a video project by Saudi artist, Daniah Al Saleh. The 10-minute piece revisits the golden era of Egyptian cinema (1940s-1960s), exploring how the films influenced Middle Eastern societies by subtly challenging norms around fashion, love, and personal expression.

Blending research with machine learning, Evanesce reimagines the experience of watching classical films, attempting to evoke a sense of nostalgia, while questioning how cinema shapes our collective memories and perceptions of reality. Forever Is Now.04 is made possible through the support of official banking partner Alex Bank, insurance partner Barta & Partners, Afrexim Bank, TotalEnergies, BICC cables, logistics partner DHL, carrier partner Egyptair, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Sawiris Foundation, leather partner Leopelle, and media partners TV5 Monde, MO4 Network, Designboom and Art Africa.

  Artworks beside the Pyramids.

Participating artists include Chris Levine (United Kingdom), who is celebrated for his pioneering work in light art and spatial awareness. His installation draws on sacred geometry and astronomical ratios, particularly those found in the Great Pyramid of Khufu and his art offers a contemplative space, inviting viewers to explore the universal truths embedded in the Giza Plateau; Federica Di Carlo (Italy) approaches her work with a deep connection to nature and the cosmos. Her installation at the Pyramids symbolises the infinite possibilities of life and the unseen energies that surround us, merging the scientific with the mystical; Ik-Joong Kang (South Korea), whose work at Giza draws parallels between the ancient world and modern life, symbolising the collective memories that shape our present; Jake Michael Singer (South Africa), whose work at Giza juxtaposes the ancient desert with modernity, challenging viewers to rethink their relationship with nature and history; Jean Boghossian (Belgium/Lebanon), a master of the art of fire, whose work at the Giza Pyramids echoes the enduring spirit of rebirth; Jean-Marie Appriou (France), who has crafted an ochre clay boat at the Giza Plateau, which symbolises transitions through time, accompanied by a child character representing the connection between past, present, and future, with the evolving nature of the artwork reflecting the passage of time, as the Nile clay cracks and changes; Khaled Zaki (Egypt), whose work melds ancient Egyptian forms with modern abstraction as his sculptures resonate with the timelessness of the Pyramids, embodying a fusion of past and present in their design; Luca Boffi (Italy), who engages communities in a shared exploration of space and memory, transforming the Giza Pyramids into a canvas for collective action; Marie Khouri (Canada/Lebanon), who fuses her Egyptian heritage with global influences, creating flowing arabesque forms that spell out universal messages of peace and unity; Shilo Shiv Suleman (India), who merges Eastern and Western symbols and harmonises ancient Egyptian and Indian motifs; Studio INI by Nassia Inglessis (Greece), whose sculpture at Giza invites viewers to journey into the past of the Ancient Egyptians for a vision that unites the Human, the Technological and the Elemental; and Xavier Mascaro’s (Spain/Latin America), whose contribution to the exhibition at Giza makes the viewer question boundaries between what is ancient and what is new.

Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, founder of Art D’Égypte, said that “we are thrilled to present the fourth edition of ‘Forever Is Now’ at the majestic Pyramids of Giza. This year’s exhibition is particularly special, as it marks the first time we are featuring artists from Asia, opening up new dialogues and connections across borders. Our concept delves into the rich narratives of our past while exploring the transformative power of contemporary art.” Art D’Égypte is a cultural platform that promotes Egyptian art, while highlighting and preserving Egypt’s heritage sites. An established art consultancy service providing private and corporate advice, its collateral initiatives include public events, talks, lectures and collaborations for scholarships and residency programmes.