A French sculptor causes a stir in Egypt...because of his controversial links to Israel

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The participation of French visual artist Bernard Venet in the sixth edition of the “Forever is Now” exhibition did not go smoothly, after his invitation to participate in an artistic event held at the Giza Pyramids turned into a crisis within Egyptian cultural circles, against the backdrop of objections to his connections to Israeli artistic institutions.

His participation sparked a wave of rejection among Egyptian artists and intellectuals, who demanded that the invitation be withdrawn in rejection of what they considered “cultural normalization,” while artists announced their withdrawal in protest against his selection. In the face of escalating controversy, the Art D Egypt Foundation, which organizes the exhibition, announced the suspension of the French artist’s participation, stressing its commitment to its principles and its respect for the Egyptian position towards the Palestinian issue, after it had announced the opening of a comprehensive review of the circumstances surrounding his selection.

The uproar began with the announcement of the list of artists participating in the sixth edition of the “Forever is Now” exhibition, scheduled to be held in front of the Pyramids of Giza during the period from 4 to 28 next November, with the participation of artists from Egypt and other countries, in an event that seeks to establish a dialogue between ancient Egyptian civilization and contemporary art.

The list included the name of Bernard Venet, known for his works in sculpture and conceptual art, whose artistic career spans more than six decades, and whose works are found in international institutions and museums. But his name quickly raised objections in Egyptian artistic and cultural circles, which were not related to evaluating his artistic experience, but rather were linked to a previous honor he had received and his professional relationships with artistic institutions in Israel.

Basically, the objectors relied on two main incidents in Venet's career: The first is that in 2022 he received the “Artist of the Year” award from the “American Friends of Israel Museums” organization, and the second is his association with the “Har-El” art gallery in Israel, which includes the French artist among the list of artists it represents.

Note that the French artist has received several international honors, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Sculpture Center in 2016, the Julio Gonzalez International Award in 2013, and the French Legion of Honor in 2005. He is also famous for his monumental sculptural works, most notably the “Great Arch” in Belgium, a work measuring 60 meters high and described as the largest public artwork in the world.

In light of the escalation of controversy, objections moved from discussion on social media to declared positions by artists, initiatives, and figures from the Egyptian artistic and cultural scene. In a collective statement, individuals, institutions, and cultural initiatives announced their refusal to participate in Finieh, considering that his honor from an organization that supports Israeli museums, in addition to his relationship with an art gallery in Israel, calls for reconsidering his choice to participate in an event held on the territory of Egypt.

Therefore, the signatories called on the Art D Egypt Foundation to withdraw the invitation, and to take a clear position that takes into account what they described as “the constants of the Egyptian cultural scene that rejects cultural and artistic normalization.” Visual artists also announced their refusal to participate in Finet, and some of them went on to withdraw from artistic events linked to the organizing institution, including the artist Alaa Abdel Hamid, the artist Amani Moussa, and the artist Alia Issa.

In the face of objections, Art D Egypt issued a statement affirming its respect for the Egyptian and international art scene, and its appreciation for the opinions and positions expressed by artists, intellectuals, and the public, ultimately deciding to withdraw its invitation to the French artist.

It is noteworthy that the controversy over Vienna’s participation is inseparable from an extended debate in Egypt regarding cultural and artistic normalization with Israel, since the signing of the peace treaty between the two countries in 1979. Despite the continuation of diplomatic relations and official cooperation in specific fields, establishing direct cultural and artistic relations with Israeli institutions or figures has remained a subject of rejection among sectors of intellectuals, artists, and professional unions, in light of the issue’s connection to the memory of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the continuation of the war on the Gaza Strip.