ENESS's conveyor-belt AI fantasy at Kalmar Castle critiques digital dependency

At Kalmar Castle in Sweden, the Australian studio ENESS introduced 'The Cloud Utopia Machine' as part of the exhibition 'Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness,' which will be open until November 1, 2026. This interactive installation invites guests to place their smartphones on a conveyor belt that traverses cloud-shaped chambers filled with miniature worlds. It produces video postcards intended for social media, offering a critique of the platforms utilized. The four distinct worlds delve into themes of synthetic beauty, automated economies, false prophets, and dependence on AI. Nimrod Weis, the founder of ENESS, highlighted the juxtaposition of the historic castle with the emerging realities of AI. The exhibition also showcases AI-driven talking rocks, a psychedelic maze, and a digital pond featuring LED fish, building upon prior displays in seven different cities.