AI-Driven Enlightenment and the Path to Modern Happiness

Melbourne-based art and technology studio ENESS has received the 2024 FRAME Exhibition of the Year award for "Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness", a groundbreaking exhibition that blends insightful storytelling with AI-driven, interactive inflatable artworks.

On the mystical path to meet the Guru, Taiwan
Photo credit: Te-Fan Wang

The Fusion of Art, AI, and New Wisdom

The centerpiece of this exhibition, Modern Guru, is a translucent figure with four oversized digital eyes that delivers AI-generated wisdom when visitors take its photo. This thought-provoking experience explores modern paths to happiness and questions wisdom, spirituality, and fulfillment in the AI age. The exhibition adapts its narrative and visuals to each location and culture, ensuring a unique experience while maintaining its core artistic message. At its current site in Château Royal de Blois in France’s Loire Valley, the work incorporates themes of AI’s environmental footprint, reflecting contemporary concerns about technology's impact.

Gazing at Modern Guru, Le centre d'art de Châteaugiron Les 3 CHA
Photo credit: David Zanardi

Modern Guru with his trail of AI-generated quotes
Photo credit: David Zanardi

Through the Whispering Mountains, Le centre d'art de Châteaugiron Les 3 CHA
Photo credit: David Zanardi

A Continuously Evolving Artistic Journey

Since its debut at Centre d'art à Châteaugiron in France, the exhibition has expanded significantly. It transformed into a 1,000-square-metre installation in Taiwan and further evolved in Thailand, where narration, AI games, and interactive talking characters were introduced.

Yogi hanging from the vaulted ceiling, Le centre d'art de Châteaugiron Les 3 CHA
Photo credit: David Zanardi

Yogi resplendent in the 12th Century former chapel, Le centre d'art de Châteaugiron Les 3 CHA
Photo credit: David Zanardi

Modern Guru - a translucent ovoid with four oversized digital eyes, Le centre d'art de Châteaugiron Les 3 CHA
Photo credit: David Zanardi

Reading through the quotes to find one that personally resonates, Le centre d'art de Châteaugiron Les 3 CHA
Photo credit: David Zanardi

In Taiwan Modern Guru gains his ceremonial shroud and reflective flooring
Photo credit: Te-Fan Wang

Motion Tracking enables Modern Guru to gaze upon his visitors, Taiwan
Photo credit: Te-Fan Wang

Iconic Characters and Artistic Highlights

Forest Dance

A 10-metre figure adorned with a six-metre-wide LED skirt. Balanced through air pressure and geometric precision, she reacts to visitors’ presence with chime sounds, rewarding every seventh participant with longer flourishes.

The flared skirt of the Forest Dancer, Taiwan
Photo credit: Te-Fan Wang

Sun God

Towering atop inflatable steps that represent his tongue, this feature allows visitors to ascend a vast structure composed of 50 interconnected inflatables.

Returning from having scaled the Sun God's tongue to reach the interactive summit, Taiwan
Photo credit: Te-Fan Wang

The Sun God sits atop 50 inflatable steps, Taiwan
Photo credit: Te-Fan Wang

Wayward Forest

A haunting collection of barren trees symbolizing the eerie consequences of unchecked AI advancement.

Resting in the Whispering Mountains, Taiwan
Photo credit: Te-Fan Wang

The Modern Guru: A Messenger of AI Wisdom

Modern Guru remains central across all exhibitions. Hovering above an LED ceremonial ring, this ovoid figure dispenses absurd yet profound AI-generated quotes, such as:
“Dare to admire things no one else has admired.” These messages reflect questions about where wisdom will originate in a future increasingly influenced by AI and technology.

A scaled-back work with new mosquito characters for contemporary gallery Yarrila Arts and Museum, Australia
Photo credit: And The Trees Photography

The extraordinary first location - a 12th century former chapel with alcoves and vaulted ceilings, Le centre d'art de Châteaugiron Les 3 CHA
Photo credit: David Zanardi

As audiences members progress through the installation their movement stimulates colour changes, Taiwan
Photo credit: Te-Fan Wang

About ENESS

Founded in 1997, ENESS is an award-winning studio dedicated to creating interactive public art that blends sculpture, technology, design, and storytelling. Their approach treats inflatables as a medium akin to paint or charcoal, testing its limits through engineering and creative innovation. Sustainability is a critical consideration for ENESS. The exhibition minimizes hard materials, relies on recyclable fabrics, and reduces environmental impact through lightweight, air-based constructions. With Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness, ENESS invites audiences to contemplate the role of AI in art, creativity, and human connection.