FOREVER IS NOW

Rashid Al Khalifa creates fragments of a labyrinth, relics that emerge from the ground, tilted at varying angles. Is this the discovery of a lost labyrinth or the materialization of hauntingly futuristic artifacts? Rashid plays on this concept of time and discovery, of the modern and ancient through these fragments, whereby each piece is reminiscent of ancient mythology and yet, they are strikingly contemporary. Furthermore, upon each fragment are different motifs adopted from the diagram of the Egyptian labyrinth presented by the 17^th century Jesuit scholar Anthanasius Kircher in his book Turris Babel (1679). Kircher’s labyrinth is largely derived from the description of Herodotos who described a similar structure in Faiyum. The perforated motif’s on the copper and brass exterior, beautifully oxidize and cast shadows of light on the ground around the visitors, as they traverse the installation.

About Forever Is Now

Launched by Nadine Abdel Ghaffar in 2021, Forever Is Now remains the first and only exhibition of contemporary art to take place at the 4500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site of the Pyramids of Giza and its surrounding plateau. It aims to bring together artists from around world to reflect on the enduring legacy of one of humanity’s most compelling and mysterious structures. Through the lens of these artists’ interests and practices, Forever is Now aims to trace the continuity of themes that stretch from our ancient past to present day whilst paying homage to the ingenuity and reflections of human civilization and art.

This year’s edition is located around the concept “play” that will see the Giza Plateau transformed into a space of serendipity, chance and experimentation featuring interactive sculptural artworks set to invite viewers to actively engage with each installation. By becoming creators of their own experience and altering the outcome of each work, visitors to Forever is Now 03 will blur the line between artist and viewer in a playground of possibilities.

Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, Founder & Curator Art D’Egypte by Culturvator: “This year will be our most ambitious yet with 14 participating artists – the biggest programme we will stage to date. The forthcoming edition like previous iterations, will aim and continue to create unexpected and energising dialogues between humanity’s ancient past and its contemporary present – ultimately demonstrating the enduring influence of ancient Egypt’s cultural heritage and its ongoing ability to inspire both the artistic and public imagination in novel ways. Both Egyptians and international visitors alike will be able to interact and experience contemporary art in the context of this legendary, ancient monument.”

Highlights include: Arne Quinze’s circular Lupine sculpture that will provide a viewpoint into an isolated vista of one of the Pyramids and its invisible axis lines; Dionysios’s geometrical installation based on instructions to artificial intelligence to imagine different prayers on light; Carole Feureman’s hyperrealist sculpture evoking Hathor – the ancient Egyptian goddess of love and fertility; Rashid Al Khalifa’s fragments of a labyrinth, emerging from the ground at varying angles, each inscribed with motifs sourced from a 1679 work Turris Babel (The Tower of Babel) written by the Jesuit scholar Athanasius Kircher.