MODERN GURU AND THE PATH TO ARTIFICIAL HAPPINESS
Interactive art installation
Centre d'art Les 3 CHA, Châteaugiron, France
Amsterdam Light Festival, Singapore iLight, Yarrila Arts and Museum, Coffs Harbour
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