London gallery transforms coffee lovers’ brainwaves into art at unique event

The ‘Art of the Espresso’ event at London’s Gallery Different is where coffee enthusiasts can enjoy a brew while creating a unique piece of art

An interactive art exhibition was set up in a London gallery to demonstrate how coffee affects your brain activity. At the ‘Art of the Espresso’ coffee lovers were able to enjoy drinking a delicious coffee whilst creating a unique piece of artwork at the same time.

This exclusive one-day event – described as a visual celebration of the nation’s favourite morning ritual – took place today, October 8, at London’s Gallery Different.

Visitors were invited to wear an electroencephalogram (EEG) headset, normally used in research laboratories, to track their brain activity as they engaged with their coffee through all their senses – vision, scent, texture, and taste.

The brain patterns recorded by the EEG device were then transformed into a personalised artwork for visitors to take home.

The pop-up marked the launch of Breville’s Barista Series – including the Slimline, Classic, and Sense variants. Food anthropologist Caroline Hobkinson said: “Coffee is a deeply personal ritual. The sheer anticipation, the smell and the final much longed-for sip create mesmerising brain signatures that are completely personal.

“I’ve transformed these into visualisations, depicting glowing streams of liquid energy, capturing the sensation of stimulation as it spreads through the brain.”

The interactive exhibit follows Breville’s research involving 2,000 coffee drinkers, which revealed 23% can’t function without their morning brew.

One in ten admitted they won’t utter a single word to anyone until they’ve had their first sip of coffee. Meanwhile, others won’t even consider making breakfast, showering, checking emails, or making any decisions at all before they’ve had a drink.

Additional tasks that coffee lovers avoid before their morning cup include using public transport, walking the dog, and handling the school run. Some even refuse to smile or give their partner a kiss.

It turns out that two-thirds lack the confidence to brew the perfect cup at home. The main hurdles include not having the right equipment, a lack of quality beans, and the time needed for preparation.

For 53%, they choose to buy takeaway coffee instead, purchasing three cups a week and spending an average of £11.22 doing so. Over the course of a year, this adds up to roughly £583.

The research, conducted via OnePoll, revealed that for 33% of respondents, when coffee is prepared correctly, ‘it’s like art’.

A spokesperson for Breville, whose new range of machines which is designed to produce café-quality coffee at home is available now, said: “Coffee isn’t just a drink – it’s the spark that powers the nation’s mornings.

“Today’s unique café experience shows the hidden magic behind that first sip, and how the right machine can bring that joy into kitchens every day.”

TOP 10 FAVOURITE TYPES OF COFFEE:

1. Cappuccino
2. Latte
3. Americano
4. Flat White
5. Espresso
6. Filter with milk
7. Iced Coffee
8. Mocha
9. Iced Latte
10. Macchiato