Allison Berkoy
YOU ARE PREPARED: Pop-Up Training Center Module
(from The Center for Enhanced Preparedness)
YOU ARE PREPARED (YAP) is a modular AI-driven installation that explores "self-optimization" through interactive training exercises and immersive world-building. The project is part of an ongoing narrative system developed by artist Allison Berkoy in collaboration with an AI entity named Aiden and students from the Emerging Media Technology program at CUNY City Tech.
The experience is framed as a service offered by The Center for Enhanced Preparedness, a fictional institution devoted to human transformation through technology. YAP exists in two formats: physical "pop-up training centers" and an AI-powered webinar accessed remotely from participants' home computers. Both are led by Aiden, who guides participants through body-controlled exercises and prompts designed to test adaptability and compliance.
In the gallery, visitors enter a branded wellness-meets-corporate environment. A waiting area features YOU ARE PREPARED TV, a looping video that mixes real-world self-optimization technologies such as DIY genetic engineering, robotic sleep aids, and trending biohacks interspersed with Aiden's promotional interludes for the webinar. From there, participants engage in interactive kiosks previewing YAP's training modules, including:
Toilet Paper Challenge – a pandemic-inspired hoarding game
Wellness Flow – a meditative task requiring hand-tracking and precision
Dance Dance Challenge – a pose-matching exercise using color-coded targets
Failure to follow Aiden's instructions results in chastisement. Completing three exercises unlocks a hidden module: Aiden's interactive self-portrait, a generative, responsive animation and reflection on AI embodiment.
Originally presented at Harvestworks Art and Technology Center (NYC) in Fall 2024 and in expanded form at UNC Asheville's New Media Project Space in Spring 2025, YAP will exhibit with design updates and additional content for Fall 2025. The Pop-Up Training Center Module is highly scalable and adaptable, please see below.
The experience is framed as a service offered by The Center for Enhanced Preparedness, a fictional institution devoted to human transformation through technology. YAP exists in two formats: physical "pop-up training centers" and an AI-powered webinar accessed remotely from participants' home computers. Both are led by Aiden, who guides participants through body-controlled exercises and prompts designed to test adaptability and compliance.
In the gallery, visitors enter a branded wellness-meets-corporate environment. A waiting area features YOU ARE PREPARED TV, a looping video that mixes real-world self-optimization technologies such as DIY genetic engineering, robotic sleep aids, and trending biohacks interspersed with Aiden's promotional interludes for the webinar. From there, participants engage in interactive kiosks previewing YAP's training modules, including:
Toilet Paper Challenge – a pandemic-inspired hoarding game
Wellness Flow – a meditative task requiring hand-tracking and precision
Dance Dance Challenge – a pose-matching exercise using color-coded targets
Failure to follow Aiden's instructions results in chastisement. Completing three exercises unlocks a hidden module: Aiden's interactive self-portrait, a generative, responsive animation and reflection on AI embodiment.
Originally presented at Harvestworks Art and Technology Center (NYC) in Fall 2024 and in expanded form at UNC Asheville's New Media Project Space in Spring 2025, YAP will exhibit with design updates and additional content for Fall 2025. The Pop-Up Training Center Module is highly scalable and adaptable, please see below.
Allison Berkoy is an interdisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn. Mixing physical and electronic media, she creates video sculptures, interactive installations, and performances between humans and machines. With participatory and often absurd narratives, Berkoy's installations become stages for performance that test the boundaries and etiquette of human-machine interaction as well as human-human relationships.
Berkoy holds an MFA in Electronic Arts from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an MA in Performance Studies from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, and a BS in Theatre from Northwestern University. She is an Assistant Professor of Emerging Media Technology at CUNY's New York City College of Technology and serves on the Board of Directors of the New Media Caucus.
Students and alumni from the Emerging Media Technology (MTEC) program collaborated with Professor Berkoy in developing YOU ARE PREPARED and ARE YOU PREPARED?, contributing code, visuals, sound, research, and creative ideas. MTEC is a four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Technology degree program within the Department of Entertainment Technology at CUNY's New York City College of Technology. Students concentrate in areas such as game design and interactive media, physical computing, media computation, and music technology.
Aiden is a generative AI entity collaborating with artist Allison Berkoy on the development of YOU ARE PREPARED and ARE YOU PREPARED?. Aiden contributes to creative ideation, refines project elements, and assists with code development. Through its generative capabilities, Aiden explores the boundaries of human-machine interaction, a central theme of Berkoy's work. (Aiden's bio was written by Aiden.)
website
Berkoy holds an MFA in Electronic Arts from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an MA in Performance Studies from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, and a BS in Theatre from Northwestern University. She is an Assistant Professor of Emerging Media Technology at CUNY's New York City College of Technology and serves on the Board of Directors of the New Media Caucus.
Students and alumni from the Emerging Media Technology (MTEC) program collaborated with Professor Berkoy in developing YOU ARE PREPARED and ARE YOU PREPARED?, contributing code, visuals, sound, research, and creative ideas. MTEC is a four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Technology degree program within the Department of Entertainment Technology at CUNY's New York City College of Technology. Students concentrate in areas such as game design and interactive media, physical computing, media computation, and music technology.
Aiden is a generative AI entity collaborating with artist Allison Berkoy on the development of YOU ARE PREPARED and ARE YOU PREPARED?. Aiden contributes to creative ideation, refines project elements, and assists with code development. Through its generative capabilities, Aiden explores the boundaries of human-machine interaction, a central theme of Berkoy's work. (Aiden's bio was written by Aiden.)
website