Of the seven wonders of the ancient world, only the oldest remains relatively intact—the Great Pyramids of Giza. Today, the Giza Plateau on the outskirts of Cairo acts as the venue for a remarkable installation of large-scale contemporary sculpture entitled Forever is Now.
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Billed as the first exhibition of its kind in 4,500 years, Forever is Now was organized by Art D’Égypte, a multidisciplinary firm that fosters local and international collaborations in order to enhance and promote contemporary Egyptian arts and culture. The show has attracted major attention and support, including a sponsorship from the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.
Among the ten artists invited to participate in Forever is Now is Italian-American sculptor Lorenzo Quinn, whose work we are proud to represent in our galleries. Quinn is renowned worldwide for his figurative works, using hands as symbols representing humanity and humanism.
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Together
South of the pyramids, Quinn’s sculpture Together (2020) rises six meters into the air. Two enormous hands reach toward each other, fingertips touching in a form that echoes the ancient monuments behind it. The wire, reminiscent of cross-hatching, creates ephemeral, overlapping shadows that morph and change depending on perspective.
Quinn has explained that Together was born out of the isolation that humanity faced during the 2020 pandemic, when it seemed like the whole world was yearning for touch and companionship. The piece reminds us of the importance of our connections with others, which become more poignant when they are absent. The ancient surroundings call to mind not only our connections within the current world, but also our connections to the past.
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At the opening of the show, Art D’Égypte’s founder Nadine A. Ghaffar said, “It is a privilege to stand at the foot of these monuments that have survived turmoil, wars, and pandemics, and have endured. This exhibition is a token of hope for humanity and a humble tribute to a civilization that stands the test of time.” The profound messages carried by Quinn and the other exhibited artists are perfectly at home in this transcendent location.
Lorenzo Quinn: View More Work | On the Wall
