Assistant Professor John Freyer gives Marwa Altaib a quick lesson on pour-over coffee at the Free Hot Coffee Bike on Feb. 14. For Valentine's Day, Rams in Recovery shared coffee with people on Capitol Square, where they discussed addiction and recovery issues. (Photo credit: Pat Kane)

Feb. 23, 2018

VCU School of the Arts professor becomes first U.S.-based Tate Exchange Associate at Tate Modern, London

Addiction and recovery artist John Freyer will bring practice to U.K. for weeklong residency.

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By Leila Ugincius

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts assistant professor John Freyer will serve as the first U.S.-based Tate Exchange Associate at Tate Modern in London June 26 through July 1.

Tate Exchange, a new project for the museum, explores how art makes a difference to society and creates a common space for the public to debate contemporary topics and ideas, to get actively involved, and to make a difference. VCU School of the Arts is the Tate Exchange’s first U.S. partner.

During his residency, Freyer will be available for conversation and coffee modeled on his Fifty/Fifty project. Fifty/Fifty is a traveling series of interdisciplinary, social practice art projects — part conceptually based performance art, part turn-of-the-century medicine show — that encourages dialogue on addiction and recovery through public events, workshops and custom-blended “Recovery Roast” coffees tailored to each community. 

The project offers a unique opportunity to engage people in recovery with broader audiences, emphasizing creative expression as a means of assisting in the recovery process and reducing the social stigma and isolation associated with individuals struggling with addiction. Freyer’s work also revives the simple yet meaningful practice of face-to-face dialogue — a growing rarity in an increasingly technologically mediated world.

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“Freyer’s work is a unique catalyst that inspires genuine, organic, one-on-one conversations that help destigmatize people recovering from addiction and those that support them,” said Shawn Brixey, dean of the VCU School of the Arts. “These casual conversations with the public are increasingly important amid growing national and international discussions of addiction. We’re very pleased to have the School of the Arts partner with Tate Exchange and to have John Freyer as our first Tate Exchange Associate.”

Last month, Freyer produced “Recovery Roast” for Tate Exchange, working in collaboration with the Tate Roastery and participants in recovery. As part of the experience, this specially roasted coffee will be brewed and served during Freyer’s residency as he and others in recovery engage the public in conversation, creating a deeper understanding of the potential for creative expression and engagement to assist the recovery process. 

For full details, visit www.tate.org.uk/tateexchange; for high-resolution images visit tate.org/uk/press.