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Rashid Al Khalifa moved from Bahrain to the UK in 1972. This is Reality is Timeless, 2023
In the center of Cairo, the place the traditional Pyramids of Giza stand as guardians of time, French-Egyptian curator Nadine Abdel Ghaffar orchestrates a symphony of artwork and heritage within the third version of “Forever Is Now.” As the clock strikes midday, the bustling vitality in Cairo is a testomony to the monumental job forward.
Abdel Ghaffar, the founding father of the Egyptian arts platform Art D’Égypte, isn’t just organizing an artwork exhibition however crafting an immersive expertise in opposition to the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Pyramids. Opening on Oct. 26, this site-specific set up transcended the boundaries of time, seamlessly mixing up to date artwork with the timeless tapestry of Egypt’s cultural heritage. It was the third version of the occasion, however this time clouded with the struggle between Hamas and Israel to the north. Tourists had been afraid to return to Egypt, however the present went on.
“The Pyramids, for me, are a token of hope for humanity,” Abdel Ghaffar shares, her voice echoing via the millennia. “It’s a world surprise that was not misplaced. It withstood pandemics, wars, totally different religions, and it’s nonetheless there.” Her sentiment resonates with the enduring spirit of the Pyramids, a beacon of resilience that has weathered the storms of historical past.
In the throes of the COVID pandemic, Abdel Ghaffar discovered solace within the phrases of veteran Egyptian archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass. “Look on the Pyramids,” he instructed her, “This provides you with hope. It’s nonetheless there. So, humanity is not going to be erased. Don’t fear.” The Pyramids grew to become an emblem of continuity, a supply of energy throughout unsure occasions.
Setting up an exhibition close to the Pyramids is not any small feat. It includes navigating via bureaucratic mazes involving the Secret Services, UNESCO, and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Ten days earlier than the grand opening, a devoted staff of 150 employees, together with architects and electricians, toils across the clock. Challenges abound, however the fruition of the exhibition annually is nothing in need of a miracle. “On the evening of the opening, everyone seems to be blown away,” Abdel Ghaffar exclaims.
In previous editions of “Forever Is Now,” visionary artists like JR, El-Seed, and Lorenzo Quinn left their indelible marks with sculptural installations. See some photographs beneath. This yr, the exhibition extends past the Pyramids, with cultural occasions in Downtown Cairo organized by Art D’Égypte. In response to latest violence in Gaza, the group is taking a philanthropic stance by establishing Egyptian Red Crescent donation cubicles.
Amidst this cultural tapestry, sustainability takes middle stage. The immersive expertise on the interactive Giza exhibition is curated with environmental consciousness. Each set up, a fragile dance between modernity and historical past, goals to interact the viewers in a dialogue concerning the interconnectedness of artwork, heritage, and the native setting.
This yr’s “Forever Is Now” locations a renewed emphasis on sustainability, weaving eco-friendly practices into the very cloth of the exhibition. From the supplies utilized in installations, sourced responsibly and with minimal environmental affect, to the meticulous planning of waste discount methods, each facet displays a dedication to environmental stewardship.
In the third version of the exhibition, the participation of 14 worldwide artists provides a layer of cultural range and inventive alternate. Organized by CulturVator – Art D’Egypte, the occasion not solely celebrates up to date artwork in opposition to the backdrop of historic wonders but in addition emphasizes the significance of cultural alternate amongst artists.
These artworks embody a geometrical sculpture by artist Dionysios titled “Meditation on Light,” using synthetic intelligence; a hyper-realistic sculpture by artist Carol Feuerman titled “Egyptian Woman within the Form of the Goddess Hathor,” evoking the traditional Egyptian deity of affection and fertility; and components of a maze by artist Rashid Al Khalifa, adorned with patterns impressed by the e book “Tower of Babel” by Jesuit scholar Athanasius Kircher in 1679. The up to date artworks differ in supplies, together with “fiberglass, metal, stone, marble,” providing an clever and environmentally pleasant expertise.
Nadine Abdel Ghaffar emphasised the importance of the exhibition, stating, “The ‘Forever Is Now’ exhibition has achieved excellent success in attracting consideration to up to date artwork since its first version. This yr, the exhibition raises questions concerning the new period of expertise and cultural change that the world goes via, by combining cultural heritage with the wealthy range of up to date artwork practices.”
She expressed gratitude to contributors, establishments, and official companions, together with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Tourism, Antiquities, Culture, and the Egyptian National Commission for UNESCO, amongst others. The assist from numerous entities underscores the collaborative effort to advertise Egyptian artwork and heritage on the worldwide stage.
In the third version of “Forever Is Now,” 14 native and worldwide artists are taking part, every bringing a novel perspective and inventive imaginative and prescient to the exhibition. Belgian Arne Quinze, Brazilian Arthur Lescher, Emirati Azza Al-Qubaisi, American Carol Feuerman, Greeks Dionysios and Costas Varotsos, French duo JR and Stephan Breuer, Egyptian Mohamed Banawy, Argentinean Pilar Zeta, Bahraini Rashid Al Khalifa, Saudi Rashed Al Shashai, Dutch Sabine Marcelis, and Egyptian-British Sam Shendi kind a various ensemble of inventive minds.
These artists specific the significance of this world occasion, hoping that their inventive works obtain optimistic and provoking responses. The Egyptian artist Mohamed Banawy, for example, finds it an thrilling journey to showcase his work alongside the nice civilization of Egypt in one of the vital important archaeological areas on the planet.
His work, titled ‘As Above, As Below,’ attracts inspiration from the emerald tablets written by the god Thoth, symbolizing keys that talk to us from the realm of the spirit. Banawy’s set up invitations viewers to ponder the fabric world as a mirrored image of one other world present in a distinct dimension, connecting Lower and Upper Egypt in a symbolic journey.
French artist JR, taking part for the primary time, presents the challenge “From the Inside Out,” a platform that empowers communities worldwide to defend their beliefs and incite native world change via public artwork. This initiative, launched by JR after successful the TED Prize in 2011, encourages cooperation and dialogue between communities worldwide via large-scale black-and-white portraits displayed in public areas.
Greek artist Dionysios contributes the challenge “Meditation on Light,” a meditative efficiency artwork exhibited on the millennial Giza Plateau. Using AI, Dionysios creates totally different invocations on the theme of sunshine, reflecting Apollo, the god of sunshine, conversing with Ra’a, the god of the solar. His set up invitations viewers to ascertain the Giza plateau as an area for reflection and meditation on the idea of sunshine, symbolizing a carpet on the bottom following the trajectory of the solar from nightfall until daybreak.
Costas Varotsos, one other Greek artist, presents “Horizon,” specializing in the connection between the Nile River and the Giza Plateau. For Varotsos, the horizon is a prediction of the longer term, defining the idea in area whereas figuring out the place towards life. His challenge options eight circles representing the world’s revolutions, connecting the celestial dome and the cycle of life expressed via the geometric form of the circle.
Bahraini artist Rashid Al Khalifa presents “Timeless Reality,” impressed by the greatness of Egypt. Using palm fronds, an historic craft, Al Khalifa pays tribute to the historical past of the pyramids, offering a recent interpretation of their affect on the area’s growth processes. His challenge, “The Transparent Pyramid,” blurs the traces between conventional and trendy, renewing perceptions of artwork, heritage, science, and sustainable practices.
Dutch artist Sabine Marcelis contributes “Ra,” an set up impressed by the solar and the birthplace of the sundial. Marcelis’s paintings not solely represents a sundial however harnesses the ability of the solar, reworking it into vitality. Her piece displays deep respect for historic Egyptian tradition and their reverence for the solar god Ra.
Sabine Marcelis, Ra
Stephan Breuer, a French artist, presents “Temple •|•” for the primary time within the precise axis of the pyramids. The triangular form symbolizes the accomplishment of mastering expertise in Ancient Egypt, conveying a sworn statement of human genius. “Temple •|•” represents a brand new period in human evolution, linked to digital expertise and synthetic intelligence, celebrating each human that interacts with it. His piece conveys each a robust materials and non secular message, preserving digital reminiscences and providing a brand new visible expression of the Sublime.
Stephan Breuer, Temple
Egyptian-British artist Sam Shendi introduces “The Phantom Temple,” bridging the previous and the longer term via sculptural works that transcend classifications. Shendi’s sculptures function vibrant reflections of the human situation, leaving an imprint on the land and transporting creativeness past time.
Forever is now Edition III on the pyramids of Giza Art Title : The PhantomTemple by Sam Shendi
Argentinian artist Pilar Zeta presents “Mirror Gate,” a multidimensional portal connecting previous and current, mixing pure and synthetic supplies from the post-industrial period. Viewers are invited to replicate on their infinite potential after they see their reflections contained in the pyramids, drawing connections to the limitless potentialities present in Egyptian mythology.
Pilar Zeta, Mirror Gate, 2023
The various inventive contributions prolong from Argentina to the UAE, with Azza Al Qubaisi sharing her work titled “Treasures.” Al Qubaisi captures the secrets and techniques, shapes, and patterns of desert landscapes, incorporating cultural reminiscences, tales, and ornaments from the previous. Her paintings permits viewers to immerse themselves in an expertise strolling between the artwork piece and the sand dunes, symbolizing a journey via private lives and hidden treasures inside.
Azza Al Qubaisi, Treasures, 2023
Belgian artist Arne Quinze’s challenge, “The Gateway of Light,” gives an alternate perspective on the Pyramids of Giza, exploring the dynamics between the ability of nature and its fragility. Quinze emphasizes the traditional and wealthy Egyptian tradition the place the solar has all the time performed an important position, presenting the solar as the basic aspect for all types of life inside a sculpted round body.
Arne Quinze’s challenge, “The Gateway of Light,”
Arthur Lescher, though unable to attend, expresses his happiness about creating his paintings “The Observatory” to be exhibited on the Giza plateau. His paintings reframes the query of human reference to the universe, utilizing the internal a part of the pyramids as a benchmark to replicate the human scale in a brand new context.
Arthur Lescher, The Observatory
“CulturVator – Art D’Egypte” has been on the forefront of organizing groundbreaking exhibitions that merge the outdated and the brand new, altering the world’s notion of up to date artwork in Egypt. The annual exhibitions by “Art d’Egypte” purpose to advertise Egyptian artwork globally, showcasing up to date Egyptian artwork in heritage websites that hyperlink Egypt’s wealthy historical past with its inventive current.
From “Eternal Light” on the Egyptian Museum in 2017 to “Narratives Rescued” at 4 historic websites on Moez Street in historic Cairo in 2019, these exhibitions have reworked the best way up to date artwork is perceived in Egypt. The outstanding “Eternal Now” exhibitions held on the slopes of the historic Giza Pyramids of their first and second editions additional solidify the dedication of “Culturevator – Art d’Egypte” to selling Egyptian artwork on the worldwide stage.
In the phrases of Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, the success of the “Forever Is Now” exhibition lies not solely in its skill to draw consideration to up to date artwork but in addition in its capability to pose important questions on expertise, cultural change, and the convergence of heritage with up to date artwork practices. As the third version unfolds in opposition to the timeless backdrop of the Pyramids of Giza, it serves as a beacon, illuminating a path in the direction of a sustainable future the place creativity and heritage thrive in concord. The evening sky over Giza not solely showcases the brilliance of artwork but in addition holds the promise of a extra sustainable and acutely aware tomorrow.
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