Whispering Mountains on the Path to Artificial Happiness
WHEN: Sunday 6 July - Saturday 2 August. FREE ENTRY.
WHERE: Queenstown Central Shopping Centre, 19 Grant Road, Frankton
Queenstown Central Shopping Centre is hosting a provocative and award-winning exhibition from Sunday 6 July – Saturday 2 August.
The “Whispering Mountains” exhibition is part of a larger installation called “The Modern Guru on the Path to Artificial Happiness” which has appeared in six different countries around the world.
The brain-child of Melbourne based art and technology studio ENESS, Whispering Mountains is a debut exhibition in Queenstown. In April 2025, another work by ENESS – “The Lost Dogs’ Disco” showcased in Auckland’s Aotea Square.
The exhibition is located the Town Square and interactive daily through to mid-evening.
Be enlightened and entertained by the Mountains and grab a bite to eat and drink at one of our foodies in The Market, on Central Street or in The Pavilion. The exhibition is free for all ages to enjoy.
***The exhibition can be touched, walked around and enjoyed but parents (and jovial adults) please note it is not a bouncy castle and is not to be jumped on. Respect the art and enjoy the experience ❤️
Exhibition Story.
Nestled under the ancient gaze of The Remarkables, The Whispering Mountains have arrived to share their wisdom with the people of Queenstown. Glowing with technology and filled with AI, they come with messages like ancient oracles of the past, bringing a new perspective to all who travel for joy and experience spiritual moments in the freedom and sanctity of the mountains.
In a constant state of meditation, pondering modern paths to happiness, The Whispering Mountains awake when visitors walk by, ready to deliver their thoughts to anyone who has made the journey to hear their answers. Though listener beware! Deeper questions are raised.
Living as we are with the twin vortexes of social media and AI, The Whispering Mountains on the Path to Artificial Happiness is a provocation. It poses questions about modern digital culture considering that AI is the first technology in the history of humanity capable of writing its own story. What does this ominous capacity mean for the future of human cultural output? Will literature and new religious texts – sources of wisdom throughout history – still bear the mark of human hands, or will AI begin to re-write the future?
About the Artist.
Founded in 1997, ENESS is a multi-award-winning art and technology studio. The multidisciplinary team explores the intersection between the virtual and the physical world in the creation of temporary and permanent interactive public art. Pioneers of new media art, ENESS artworks combine sculpture, textiles, design, furniture, software development, music and story.
Led by Artist and Founder Nimrod Weis, the team delves into the deeper potential of interactivity to form emotive responses from audiences and how to make art appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds. The studio’s style of work seduces viewers to get closer and experience unexpected curiosities, taking digital art installations out of the gallery and into the realm of public space. The team’s work questions how we view cities and their spaces and share ways in which technology and art bond us together.
ENESS believes in the power of providing art in everyday life that fires the imagination; that provides joy, happiness and beauty in unexpected places – transformational experiences that change lives. In this way the team are ‘happiness architects’, inspiring deeper moments between friends, family, and community.
ENESS interactive installations are commissioned by urban and cultural precincts, festivals, galleries, and museums of modern art worldwide
Background Information.
Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness of which The Whispering Mountains are a part, won FRAME Exhibition of the Year Award 2024.
Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness has appeared in six different countries around the world:
- 2024 Royal Chateau de Blois, France
- 2024 ICONSIAM, Thailand
- 2024 Yarrila Arts and Museum, Coffs Harbour
- 2024 i Light Singapore
- 2023 Amsterdam Light Festival
- 2023 Eslite Spectrum, Taiwan
- 2023 Le centre d’art Les 3 CHA du Châteaugiron, Rennes, France