Forever Is Now: Art exhibition in the desert sand

For the first time, an art exhibition has been organized in front of the 4,500-year-old Giza Pyramids, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next to the Sphinx, the work "Eternity Now" by American artist Gisela Colon is on display: A 9-meter (30-foot) elliptical dome is a tribute to the historical legacy of ancient Egypt — as is the entire exhibition, entitled "Forever Is Now."

The exhibition was organized by Art D'Egypte, a firm that aims to promote Egyptian art through exhibitions at historical sites. "The exhibition represents a fusion of ancient heritage and contemporary art," Art d'Egypte said in a statement. "We wanted to show the connection between our history and our present, which will last forever."

The installation "Bazarkh" by the Egyptian artist Moataz Nasr on the right of the photo above is inspired by the sun barques, vessels that in ancient Egypt were supposed to transport the soul of a deceased pharaoh safely to the realm of the dead.

French street artist Jean René, better known as JR, plays with perception: His work "Greetings From Giza" creates the illusion of a floating pyramid tip.

Los Angeles-based Egyptian artist Sherin Guirguis stands in front of her work, "Here I Have Returned." It is a tribute to the women who have supported and enriched Egyptian culture and society over time. The shape of the sculpture is inspired by the sistrum, a kind of frame rattle instrument used by women belonging to the cult of Isis in ancient Egypt.

Alexander Ponomarev's artwork "Ouroboros" is made of steel, ceramic and glass. It depicts a variation of the ancient Greek image of a snake biting its own tail — a symbol for the cycle of life.

The robot woman Ai-Da can not only speak, but also paint, draw and even create installations. However, the road to the pyramids was difficult for the artificial intelligence: when she entered the country, Ai-Da was "arrested" — the Egyptian security authorities thought she was a spying device. After efforts by the British Embassy, Ai-Da was finally released after 10 days.

The sculpture "Body That Rises" by Brazilian artist Joao Trevisan is somewhat reminiscent of an oversized Jenga game. Seven meters (22 feet) high, it's composed of old Egyptian railroad ties that were laid in the 19th century — Trevisan aims to incorporate Egypt's immediate past into his work.

Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn stands with his wife, Giovanna, under their sculpture "Together." "The reason I chose to create this work for this site is to honor the fact that society always works better and can surpass any obstacle when it works together," Quinn told reporters. He called the exhibition "a historical event." It, and the rest of the show, will be on view until November 7, 2021.