MODERN GURU AND THE PATH TO ARTIFICIAL HAPPINESS

Interactive art installation
Centre d'art Les 3 CHA, Châteaugiron, France
Amsterdam Light Festival

This immersive new media art installation uses the intersection of art and technology to explore modern paths to happiness through unique interactions with characters along a mystical journey of discovery.

Visitors are asked to commit to the path – a tight and winding trail with subtle points of connection along the way – a glowing landscape of oversized, whimsical mountains that chant incantations and blink innocently from digital eyes.

Pilgrims also encounter a ten-metre-tall yogi hanging from the ceiling structure. As each acolyte passes through the yogi’s arms a bell-like chime acknowledges their presence, with some longer flourishes gifted randomly.

Visitors gradually progress through this journey of ritual, realisation, and revelation to the final part of the work – Modern Guru – a translucent ovoid with four huge digital eyes, floating above a ceremonial ring of LEDs. From his mouth flows a ream of absurdist messages, and in a statement about the true nature of lived experience, a new message is delivered when visitors take a photo of Modern Guru – a missive produced only for those who seek to photograph life rather than live the moment.

Location: Centre d'art Les 3 CHA, Châteaugiron, France

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Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness – Ticketed interactive art experience

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AIRSHIP ORCHESTRA – Interactive public art installation