RSVP to Launch Event

Overcoming addiction is a slow and personal process, involving all our strengths and vulnerabilities. Relapse is not a failure, but a necessary part of the long journey towards change.

During a series of conversations with the Drug & Alcohol Task Force in Tallaght, it became clear that people needed a physical symbol for this journey, to visualise and hold in their hand the path they’ve travelled. These tokens represent victorious moments: 10 years, 5 years, 1 year, 6 months, and perhaps most importantly, the first day—the day of decision and action (“Take the risk or lose the chance”).

Five tokens were designed, each stamped with symbolic figures and mantras collected from meetings with those on their journeys to recovery. The lighthouse, the anchor, the mirror… These tokens are now given in exchange for significant personal achievements in Tallaght’s communities.

In a video installation, these tokens are entrusted to Rua, a magician and Dubliner who excels in manipulation and deception. With his sleight of hand, he plays with our expectations; the time-charged metal vanishes at his will. When his hands are bound, gravity takes over. Appearing and disappearing from the world, becoming present or fading away.

– Anthony Van den Bossche

Over the last 18 months Luxembourg artists Stéphanie Rollin and David Brognon have embedded themselves within the community of Tallaght as part of a residency and new commission for Rua Red. The commission titled ‘Templates of Chance’ engages with the process of recovery from addiction and demonstrates how failure, pushing through and progression are an essential part of the process.

Brognon Rollin have been working with people who are on the journey of recovery, with support from addiction services in South Dublin County, specifically JAAD (Jobstown Assisting Drug Dependency) and Tallaght Drug and Alcohol Taskforce, and local community leaders Senator Lynn Ruane and Councillor Mick Duff.

The legacy and importance of what is left behind following a commission is central to Brognon Rollin’s practice. These tokens will be distributed into the centres of recovery and used throughout the county by the community that designed them.

This commission and residency are made possible due to the support of our funders: The Arts Council of Ireland, Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg, South Dublin County Council Arts Office and Creative Ireland. The support of the Rua Red Board of Directors is gratefully acknowledged. The tokens, designed in collaboration with participants from JADD, will be produced and adopted by the addiction recovery services in the Tallaght community due to the generous private donation in memory of Seán O’Donnell.

Rua Red would like to thank all the participants who collaborated on this project, including Jobstown Assisting Drug Dependency (JADD); Councillor Mick Duff; Senator Lynn Ruane; Jacqueline Sheehy, Tallaght Drug and Alcohol Task Force (SDCP); Tom Jenner, Róisín NicCana and Luke Ryan from Technical University Dublin – Tallaght Campus; Eamonn Murphy – Videography; Paul Gleeson aka Rua – Performance, Marc Donnadieu and Anthony Van den Bossche for their insightful texts, Fatoumata Gandega and Eabha Doherty – Translations; Juliette Rowland – Photography; Nynke Tynagel – Token Design; Des Hurley – Token Production; Lucie Richard – Straw Marquetry.