Projects
Prophecies from a Break-room
Prophecies from a Break-room
A mundane corporate break-room, after hours. A low lit physical space with safety notices, employee signs, kitchen appliances. But something is off. A low hum vibrates from the microwave. The toaster flickers with static and light. The closer you get, the more these machines seem to invite you to play.
At first, it feels like a simple game, but the more you play, the more it starts to shift. Fragments begin to surface, voices, signals, interruptions. Things that don’t quite belong.
The more attention you give, the more the space gives back. What starts as curiosity reveals something else entirely. Fragments begin to connect, a voice, not quite formed, trying to speak through the noise.
It’s not clear whether it’s a message, or a warning.
But it feels like it’s meant for you.
Prophecies from a Break-Room is an immersive installation exploring themes around AI and human–technology relationships. It aims to transform a familiar workplace kitchen into an interactive, multi-sensory environment where everyday objects subvert expectation, becoming playful, responsive interfaces. Through interaction, participants are encouraged to pay attention, follow their curiosity and question what’s happening, even if that means not playing by the rules.
Experiment
£20,000
Meet the Artists
Emma Smith
Lead artist
she/her
Emma Smith is an artist and interaction designer based in Brighton, creating fictional worlds through comics, artefacts and strange, interactive machines that feel like they’ve leaked into this dimension from an unknown source. Often surreal, playful and darkly humorous.
Paul Hayes
Creative Technologist
he/him
Paul makes location based experiences, games and interactives. He uses his software and hardware engineering skills to create fun playful experiences, even if those experiences serve a practical purpose.
Anna Bertmark
Narrative Sound Designer & Audio mentor
she/her
Anna is an award-winning sound designer and her work spans subverting our every-day relationships with sound, and cutting edge ecoacoustic research.
On this project she will help shape the sonic identity of the appliances and advise on the narrative and technical possibilities of the experience.
