The immersive installation introduces the mystical luck-giving yogi which stretches ten-meters-long and hovers above visitors, and the Modern Guru which poses AI-generated messages that raise questions about sources of guidance
the two invite viewers to explore their luminous surfaces
and ambient Asiatic soundscapes for a mystical
ENESS inflates a luminous ovoid floating in the 12th century cathedral | all images by David Zanardi
Art collective ENESS introduces a giant character that stretches down from the traditional Cathedral beams in the church-turned-gallery space and cascades to dwarf visitors
As each acolyte passes through the yogi’s arms a pure bell-like chime acknowledging their presence against the backdrop of a soundscape recalling the music of the Himalayas
The surfaces of its voluminous forms are marked with graphic patterns that engage in visual dialogue with the chateau’s textural ceiling
and touch and motion stimulate color changes in each piece
bathing the space in immersive hues.
As visitors gradually progress through the mystical journey of ritual
they are faced with the final part of the work — Modern Guru
This translucent ovoid with four huge digital eyes floats ethereally above a ceremonial ring of LEDs as a ream of absurdist messages flow from his mouth
In a statement about the true nature of the lived experience
a new message is delivered when visitors take a photo of the character — a missive produced only for those who seek to photograph life rather than live the moment
In both pieces the textures are fittingly psychedelic
with swirling digital expressions that call to mind 60s Op Art
while subtle Eastern religious influences are evident on Modern Guru who is patterned with mandala-like flower motifs
camera tracking stimulates the flow of AI-generated messages raising questions about sources of guidance
With ‘Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness’
artist Nimrod Weis of ENESS continues his exploration into graphic printmaking and incorporating modern technologies like AI into sculptural artworks
‘We treat inflatables as a medium — similar to charcoal or paint — in that it’s a base material for us that we are constantly investigating with each subsequent work
With Modern Guru we are testing the limits of this structure by mounting a printer at his ‘mouth’ from which AI messages spool
This requires understanding of air pressure and the engineering of the structures themselves,’ he explains
AI-generated messages spool from Modern Guru’s mouth
whimsical whispering mountains lead to the yogi and modern guru beyond
a visual dialogue between the graphic print and the chateau’s textural ceiling
‘Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness’ inflates a giant yogi and Modern Guru
touch and motion stimulate colour changes in each piece
name: Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness designer: ENESS
location: Centre d’art à Châteaugiron
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function
but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style
You don't have permission to access the page you requested
What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed
Colossal
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member now
Join more than 200,000 subscribers and get the best of art and visual culture from Colossal
Copyright © 2025 Colossal. See our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
There are racks of warm baguettes and country loaves with slightly blistered crusts
In a see-through case are the day’s cookies and tarts
One day there are chouquettes (what Timbits aspire to be in their dreams)
maybe?) you can have a sweet or savoury crepe prepared for you
Could be a quiche or maybe a steak and stout pie with flaky crust
a hybrid of the two exists here in Lindsay
hidden in plain sight — Mickaël’s Cafe Librairie
it’s on the north side of Kent about a block from Central Senior Public School — and it’s the real deal
One bitterly cold morning I drop in to sit down at the single bistro table with entrepreneur and baker Mickaël Durand to find out what brought a native of Chateaugiron in the Brittany region of France to Lindsay and what plans he has for the business
(Ask any of his three assistants–Mallorie
or Devin — and they will use the same adjectives to describe him — energetic
Mickaël and his three brothers grew up next to a boulangerie
Often he’d return home glazed with sugar and with a dusting of flour
He also baked at home
after lots of failed experiments learning to make crepes
Mickaël went on to complete a five-year apprenticeship as a baker
He was particularly influenced by his second employer
who — and this was twenty years ago — used organic flours and sourdough starters
He worked in a bakery in Toronto’s Distillery District
but what brought a French baker to Lindsay
They met at a Haliburton camp one summer: Mickaël was baking for the campers; Jane was craft instructor
They’re expecting their fourth child in March (the oldest just started French immersion at Leslie Frost)
Here in Lindsay he turned part of his space in Reeds Plaza into a Cafe
Last spring he closed briefly to incorporate what was needed to offer Lindsay its first boulangerie: a mixer
With the business growing he hired an assistant
a Lindsay native who had just graduated from Niagara College’s Baking and Pastry Art Program
Mallorie considers herself Mickaël’s apprentice and now looks after much of the bread production
From the outset the focus has been on freshness and high standards
Mickaël wants customers to know that everything on display is just out of the ovens
particularly since people have to make an effort to come here.”
Anything unsold at the end of the day is packaged up as “day-old” and put on a separate rack at half-price
(A personal aside: The day-olds are first stop for this frugal columnist)
It may have been a perk for staff or been donated to the homeless shelter (where Devin is known as “The Bread Man.”)
It’s a new year and before I leave I want to hear about this restless entrepreneur’s plans
“I want to devote more energy to the bakery and cafe
it’s almost all friends and the ever-widening circle of those who’ve found out through word of mouth
maybe hooked by the free samples that are always on offer
There will undoubtedly be culinary surprises
Paris-Brest pastries in the shape of bicycle wheels are coming out of the oven
Mickaël describes the next pastry he wants to offer — one for a new year
It’s called a Galette des Rois and is traditionally shared at Epiphany to celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men
It’s a puff pastry and has a small charm hidden inside
When we first sat down and Mickaël was dipping his walnut-studded brownie into his coffee
“I should have a photo of Chateaugiron on the wall!”
It would be a fitting reminder that a tiny piece of Brittany has been transplanted to Lindsay
and website in this browser for the next time I comment
Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value"
The only 100% local news source in Kawartha Lakes that also publishes in print
Support Us
Keep up-to-date with your local happenings in and around town
The Local Europe ABVästmannagatan 43113 25 StockholmSweden
Please log in here to leave a comment