Going to an art exhibition behind four walls is one thing but experiencing art amidst one of the world’s Great Wonders is quite another. Set against this awe-inspiring backdrop of the Pyramids of Giza, the highly-anticipated Forever Is Now 04 exhibition returns for its fourth edition, running from Oct. 24 to Nov. 16. This year’s iteration promises to be more captivating than ever, as it brings together a carefully curated group of 12 artists from across the globe, spanning the United Kingdom, Italy, South Korea, South Africa, Belgium, Lebanon, France, Egypt, India, Greece, Spain, and beyond.
The curatorial theme positions both artists and visitors as modern-day archaeologists, wielding creativity as their tool to unearth the hidden layers of meaning buried in the seemingly ordinary. Through the use of unconventional materials, this year’s exhibition underscores a bold vision—reminding us that, much like archaeology, art requires a keen eye for the unexpected and the courage to celebrate the beauty of the mundane.
Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, the founder of Culturvator by Art D’Égypte, shares her excitement for this year’s event: “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.”
Innovative Parallel Projects
Forever Is Now 04 introduces two exciting parallel projects, both pushing the boundaries of art and technology. Egyptian-American AI artist Hassan Ragab, with support from Meta, showcases a groundbreaking installation that explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and traditional art forms. His work redefines the role of technology in the creative process, offering a bold vision for the future of artistic expression.
Meanwhile, Saudi artist Daniah Al Saleh’s 10-minute video project, “Evanesce,” plunges into the golden age of Egyptian cinema (1940s–1960s). Using a combination of machine learning and extensive research, Al Saleh revisits the influence of these films on Middle Eastern society. Her work invites viewers to reimagine the experience of classic cinema while questioning how film shapes collective memory and challenges societal norms around fashion, love, and self-expression.
Read on to discover the other cohort of artists contributing their unique vision to the timeless landscape of the Giza Plateau:
Chris Levine (UK): Renowned for his light art and spatial awareness, Levine’s installation draws on sacred geometry and the astronomical ratios embedded in the Great Pyramid of Khufu, offering a contemplative space for reflection on the cosmos.
Federica Di Carlo (Italy): Merging science and mysticism, Di Carlo’s work captures the infinite possibilities of life, weaving together cosmic energies and unseen forces in an installation that blurs the lines between nature and the metaphysical.
Ik-Joong Kang (South Korea): Known for his mosaic work made up of thousands of small canvases, Kang creates an installation that ties ancient Egypt to modern life, highlighting the collective memories that shape us all.
Jake Michael Singer (South Africa): Singer’s large-scale works explore the tension between natural landscapes and urban sprawl, reflecting on the contrast between the ancient desert and modernity, challenging our relationship with both nature and history.
Jean Boghossian (Belgium/Lebanon): A master of fire as a medium, Boghossian’s burnt canvases and sculptures symbolize both destruction and rebirth, echoing the enduring spirit of the pyramids themselves.
Jean-Marie Appriou (France): Appriou’s dreamlike sculptures form a bridge between ancient mythology and modern human experience, engaging in a dialogue between the divine and the earthly.
Khaled Zaki (Egypt): Zaki’s sculptures blend ancient Egyptian iconography with modern abstraction, resonating with the timelessness of the pyramids while embodying a dialogue between past and present.
Luca Boffi (Italy): Through his use of grids as optical devices, Boffi transforms the pyramids into a canvas for collective action, inviting the audience to engage with the intersection of memory, space, and environment.
Marie Khouri (Canada/Lebanon): Drawing on her Egyptian heritage and global experiences, Khouri’s flowing arabesque forms convey messages of peace and unity, blending personal and universal themes.
Shilo Shiv Suleman (India): Inspired by the symbolism of the blue lotus flower, Suleman’s immersive installation offers a space for spiritual connection, merging Egyptian and Indian motifs in a rebirth of consciousness.
STUDIO INI by Nassia Inglessis (Greece): Known for sculptures that transform through human interaction, Inglessis invites the audience to reshape the future by engaging with her work, reflecting on the connection between the human, the technological, and the elemental.
Xavier Mascaro (Spain/Latin America): Mascaro’s architectural and sculptural works play with perception, blending ancient and modern elements to challenge the viewer’s sense of time and space.
