In 2026, Kalmar Castle will be visited by an award-winning art experience that has never before been shown in Sweden. “Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness” takes visitors on an interactive journey filled with AI, sculptures, surprises and thought-provoking messages about how we find happiness in an increasingly digital world. The experience was created by the acclaimed art and technology studio ENESS from Melbourne, and has so far only been shown in seven countries around the world, but never in Sweden.
The experience will take place in the castle’s largest hall, the Burnt Hall, and covers a total of 650 square meters. As a visitor, you will follow a winding path through a landscape filled with gigantic and imaginative figures in luminous colors. Step by step, you will make new discoveries to finally meet the Modern Guru – a transparent figure with four digital eyes, which hovers above a ceremonial ring of LED lights. The figure reacts to visitors by printing personal messages, which will become part of the exhibition.
Modern Guru is an immersive installation, created using new technology where motion tracking, sound, light and storytelling merge. In the borderland between art and new technology, modern paths to happiness are explored. Behind the colorful figures hide advanced technology, and the artist wants to investigate whether new technology and AI can help us to have a better and happier everyday life.
About the art and technology studio ENESS
The experience “Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness” is created by the multiple award-winning art and technology studio ENESS from Melbourne, Australia. The studio produces modern, interactive art that combines several disciplines, including sculpture, textiles, design, programming, music and storytelling. ENESS strives to create encounters between generations. The team is driven by the belief that art in everyday life has the power to ignite the imagination; to spread joy, happiness and beauty in unexpected places – and provide transformative experiences that can change lives.
Last year, ENESS won the “FRAME Exhibition of the Year 2024” award for the experience “Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness”. The studio was also awarded “FRAME Exhibition of the Year 2025” for the experience “Iwagumi Air Scape”.
“Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness” will be on display at Kalmar Castle from 26 March to 1 November 2026.
