Recently, the Giza Pyramids became a giant open-air art exhibition, echoing ancient civilizations and their rituals. Named Forever is Now, this contemporary annual art exhibition brings together artists from around the world, allowing them to explore humanity’s enduring fascination with ancient civilization through their art. Now in its fourth edition, the exhibition has reshaped perceptions of Egyptian civilization.
The annual event aims to blur the borders between past and present, tradition and innovation, where discovery becomes an active experience. Visitors are not just spectators, they’re participants, immersed in new perspectives and experiences.
This year’s iteration of Forever is Now includes, for the first time, artists from Asia. It also encourages both visitors and artists to become modern-day archaeologists, using creativity as their primary tool. Fourteen artists from the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America have contributed paintings, sculptures, and installations.
“The backdrop of the pyramids allows for a dialogue that merges ancient civilization with the contemporary, depicting the true essence of artistic development through the ages,” said Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, Forever is Now’s curator and founder of Art D’Égypte.
A memorable element of the exhibition is Four Temples by Ik-Joong Kang, a South Korean artist, based in New York. This arrangement of four structures symbolizes the hope for harmony and peace through communication, despite challenges of conflict and division. The work offers a hands-on experience through excavation activity. Participants have to dig through the sand to find two types of buried bookmarks inscribed with “love” and “peace” in four languages, which they can take with them.
Another notable installation, QUADRIVIUM, explores the ancient study of arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and sound. Created by UK artist, Chris Levine, the piece integrates geometry and astronomical ratios, reimagining these principles through contemporary art. Through this sculpture, Levine’s goal is to honour ancient Egyptians’ mastery of science and invite visitors to reflect on the universal truths encoded within the Giza Plateau, one of the most sacred sites on Earth.
