AI monk and encrypted prophecies: technology meets spirituality at HEK Basel

In May, Gabi, an AI-driven robot, made history by becoming the first ordained Buddhist monk in South Korea. This fusion of technology and spirituality serves as the foundation for 'New Rituals [for the End of the World]' at the House of Electronic Arts Basel (HEK), co-curated by artist Anan Fries alongside curator Marlene Wenger. The exhibition explores how ritual practices can help individuals navigate a crisis-laden world. Etsuko Ichihara's 'Namahage in Tokyo' (2017) reinterprets a traditional Japanese rite for the era of surveillance capitalism. Auriea Harvey's interactive installation, 'Idol.App' (2025), generates encrypted prophecies from a collection of biblical prophets and ancient oracles. Harvey, who was baptized by Pope Francis after converting to Catholicism in 2023, emphasizes the challenge of grasping prophetic messages amid distractions. Additionally, during Art Basel, HEK will feature Stefanie Egedy's 'Sonic Energetics' (2026), a 20-minute sound installation designed to soothe the nervous system with deep frequencies. The curators highlight how Silicon Valley moguls employ mythmaking to portray their innovations as transformative. The exhibition is open until 9 August.