Art D’Égypte has withdrawn its invitation to French sculptor Bernar Venet to participate in the sixth edition of Forever Is Now, following objections from Egyptian artists and cultural figures over his links to Israeli art institutions. The foundation announced on social media that it cancelled Venet’s participation, citing its commitment to its core values and principles, as well as its respect for voices within and beyond the artistic and cultural community.
The decision followed mounting criticism and announced withdrawals by artists and galleries over concerns about cultural normalization with Israel. Visual artist Alaa Abdel Hamid was among the first to announce his withdrawal, followed by Amani Moussa and Aliaa Eissa. A group of artists also issued a collective statement opposing Venet’s participation, arguing that it was incompatible with their rejection of cultural normalization with Israel.
The objections to Venet’s inclusion centred on two aspects of his professional background: an award he received in 2022 from American Friends of the Israel Museums and his association with Har-El Gallery in Israel, which lists him among the artists it represents. Venet, whose career spans more than six decades, is internationally known for his conceptual art and monumental sculptures.
Many artists welcomed Art D’Égypte’s decision, praising the foundation for responding to public criticism and reaffirming its support for the Palestinian cause. Some, however, expressed reservations about the timing of its response. Visual artist Shaaban Elhosiny welcomed the correction but argued that the foundation should have announced it from the very beginning to avoid the ensuing tensions.
Artist Eman Osama praised the foundation for maintaining transparent communication with artists throughout the crisis and taking the necessary legal and formal steps to rectify the situation and respect the artistic community’s position. The sixth edition of Forever Is Now is scheduled to run from 4 to 28 November at the Giza Pyramids, bringing together Egyptian and international artists to explore the relationship between ancient Egyptian heritage and contemporary art.
The exhibition will feature site-specific installations and monumental contemporary works, with participating artists exploring themes such as continuity, spatial organization, cultural memory, and the dialogue between past and present. Art D’Égypte reaffirmed its support for Egypt’s position on the Palestinian cause and its commitment to humanitarian principles, stating that institutions must stay true to their founding principles.
The foundation concluded its statement by saying that credibility is maintained not only by recognizing mistakes but also by correcting them. The decision has sparked a range of reactions, with some artists praising Art D’Égypte’s responsiveness, while others continue to express concerns about cultural normalization with Israel.
Key points
- Art D’Égypte cancels French sculptor Bernar Venet's participation in Forever Is Now exhibition due to objections over his links to Israeli art institutions.
- The decision followed mounting criticism from Egyptian artists and cultural figures over concerns about cultural normalization with Israel.
- The sixth edition of Forever Is Now is scheduled to run from 4 to 28 November at the Giza Pyramids.
