fourth forever is now turns giza pyramids into open-air contemporary art museum

forever is now returns to giza pyramids for fourth edition

The fourth edition of Forever Is Now is set to return to the Giza Pyramids, transforming the ancient plateau into an open air museum celebrating contemporary art and cross-cultural collaboration. From October 24th to November 16th, 2024, twelve international artists will utilize the Pyramids as both a backdrop and a muse, reimagining the UNESCO World Heritage Site through various cultural lenses. Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, founder and curator of the exhibition, tells designboom: ‘The theme of this year’s edition draws on the idea of art as a tool for exploration and discovery. Just as archaeologists unearth layers of history, our artists are uncovering new interpretations of the past through their contemporary works.’

‘Artists become archaeologists by examining the remnants of the past and reinterpreting them through the lens of modern creativity. In the same way, visitors are encouraged to dig deeper into their own understanding of the world, to look beyond the surface, and to discover new narratives within the familiar,’ she continues. Enriching this, interactive and participatory light installations, sculptures, microarchitectures, and more come together to invite contemplation on how art can bridge history and present day. Weaving together nuanced narratives of time, space, and materiality, the works explore everything from sacred geometry and mythology to modern abstraction and digital innovation.

all images courtesy of Forever Is Now

nadine abdel ghaffar on bridging past and present with art

For Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, this year’s exhibition is about building and strengthening connections between past and present, and between creatives from different parts of the world. Artists from Asia will for the first time participate, including Ik-Joong Kang from South Korea who will bring his signature mosaics to the Pyramids. Each piece emphasizes the collective memory that links past and present, a theme echoed by several others in the show. ‘This global representation reinforces our commitment to fostering cross-cultural exchange and positions Forever is Now as a truly international platform,’ Abdel Ghaffar shares with designboom.

Another first for this year’s exhibition is the integration of two AI parallel projects, expanding the exhibition’s expressions beyond traditional art forms. Egyptian-American designer Hassan Ragab, supported by Meta, presents a multidisciplinary project that offers a fresh perspective on how AI can reshape creative expression, while Saudi artist Daniah Al Saleh transports audiences back into the golden era of Egyptian cinema. Her work blends machine learning with video art to evoke nostalgia while questioning the role of cinema in shaping societal norms and perceptions of reality. ‘These innovative approaches showcase how contemporary art is evolving and adapting to new technological landscapes,’ the curator continues.

a show of audiovisual spectacles and ai installations

Elsewhere, Luca Boffi looks at the intersection of natural and artificial environments through his use of grids as optical devices. Italian artist Federica Di Carlo, whose work is deeply connected to nature and the cosmos, presents an installation symbolizing life’s infinite, unseen energies. The blend of the scientific and mystical in her work mirrors the duality present at the Giza Plateau itself.

Meanwhile, Jean-Marie Appriou’s ochre clay boat installation accompanied by a figure of a child embodies the passage and endless continuity of time. STUDIO INI, led by Nassia Inglessis, presents an interactive sculpture that invites physical engagement, transforming as viewers move through it, connecting human experience with the monumental through a fusion of technology, materiality, and history. These participatory experiences speak to this year’s exhibition’s goals to emphasize greater community engagement, inviting the audience to take an active role in the discovery process. ‘This shift from passive viewing to active involvement helps create a more dynamic and memorable experience for visitors, making this edition stand out both artistically and experientially,’ Nadine Abdel Ghaffar adds.

an exploration of ancient geometries and modern landscapes

Exploring the tension between ancient natural landscapes and urban environments, South African artist Jake Michael Singer’s large-scale installation challenges viewers to reconsider their relationship with both. Xavier Mascaro also looks to the role of architecture and sculpture, playing with perspectives and perceptions to question the boundaries between the old and new. Light and the elements too play a crucial role in exploring these ideas of transcending time and space.

UK-based Chis Levine’s light art inspired by the sacred geometry found in the Great Pyramid of Khufu invites quiet reflection on the cosmic connections embedded in the Giza Plateau. Meanwhile Belgian-Lebanese artist Jean Boghossian employs the elemental force of fire in his burnt canvases and sculptures, symbolizing the cycles of destruction and rebirth that echo through history. The works collectively tap into the deeper, unseen forces that shape our understanding of time, memory, and transformation.

‘The exhibition acts as a bridge between ancient history and contemporary culture, with each piece offering hidden treasures to be uncovered,’ Nadine Abdel Ghaffar shares about the this year’s theme. Khaled Zaki from Egypt brings a unique perspective with his sculpture that melds traditional forms and materials from his native land with modern abstraction. Likewise Indian artist Shilo Shiv Suleman, whose immersive work fuses ancient Egyptian and Indian motifs, looks to the serenity blue lotus flower. These symbols of peace are echoed in the work of Canadian-Lebanese designer Marie Khouri whose flowing arabesque forms embody universal messages of unity.

Egypt’s landmark art exhibition returns under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Experience Egypt, under the patronage of UNESCO.