Legendary Italian Artist Michelangelo Pistoletto Joins the Lineup for Forever Is Now .05 at the Pyramids of Giza
Basant Ahmed
In a monumental moment for the global art scene, Forever Is Now returns for its fifth edition with a name that needs no introduction: Michelangelo Pistoletto.
The Embassy of Italy in Egypt, in partnership with Art D'Égypte by CulturVator and the Italian Institute of Culture in Egypt, are proud to announce that Michelangelo Pistoletto - one of the most revolutionary artists of the 20th and 21st centuries - will be this year among the featured artists in the fifth edition of Forever Is Now, the first international contemporary art exhibition held at the Pyramids of Giza that will take place from 30th October to 22nd November.
The visionary founder of Arte Povera and one of the most influential contemporary artists of our time, Pistoletto will present a monumental installation at the Great Pyramids of Giza, uniting the echoes of ancient civilisation with the pulse of modern thought. His participation in Forever Is Now .05 marks a fusion of artistic legacy and ancient history that promises to captivate the world.
As a concrete manifestation of his view of art as a bridge between cultures and a generator of spaces of togetherness, Pistoletto and his Foundation develops this prestigious invitation into an opportunity for an artist residing in Egypte to enroll into their Unidee Academy, in Biella (Italy, near Milan), for a 3 years bachelor course. The awarded applicant will have fees and accommodation expenses fully covered by Italian Institute of Culture in Cairo for the first year, and for the following two by Pistoletto Foundation Cittadellarte itself.
Ambassador of Italy to Egypt, Michele Quaroni, commented: "We are deeply proud to support Michelangelo Pistoletto's participation in Forever Is Now .05, a collaboration that stands as a powerful testament to the enduring cultural ties between Italy and Egypt. This initiative is not only a celebration of contemporary art, but also a profound act of cultural diplomacy, fostering dialogue between two civilizations that have each shaped the course of world history. Through art, we continue to build bridges that transcend borders, language, and time. Italy strongly believes in the transformative power of culture as a tool for connection, education, and peace. Events like this reaffirm our commitment to nurturing mutual understanding and collaboration across the Mediterranean and beyond.'
Pistoletto is best known for his iconic Mirror Paintings, which break the barrier between artwork and audience, and for founding Cittadellarte, a multidisciplinary lab dedicated to using art as a driver for societal change.
His career spans over six decades with exhibitions at the world's most prestigious institutions, including the MoMA, Tate Modern and Venice Biennale, where Cittadellarte, for this year's edition, is starring with a special installation of the Third Paradise which will open its doors for visitors from all over the world.
'Having Michelangelo Pistoletto join Forever Is Now .05 is a historic moment for Egypt and for global contemporary art, and bringing his voice to the Pyramids is not just symbolic, it's visionary.' says Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, Founder of Art D'Égypte by CulturVator.
'I am thrilled at the prospect of starting a conversation with Egyptian art scene, artists and cultural institutions. Cittadellarte aims at making art as a bridge between peoples, across cultures and geographies. That is what art can do: connect and weave together people's lives and stories from different environments and times. I take the invitation from Art d'Egypte and the collaboration with Italian Institute of Culture as an opportunity to build a bridge across the mediterranean sea that connects Venice and Cairo through the same artwork, a symbol of creation, balance, harmony and peace, the most urgent cures we need, now, everywhere'. says Paolo Naldini, Director of Fondazione Pistoletto Cittadellarte.
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