Exhibition text by Marco Rinaldi for Passage Gallery

From a vast expanse of cosmic gas and dust, a star takes shape over millions of years, gradually evolving into a colossal sphere ablaze with the energy of trillions of nuclear reactions at its core.  Held in form by gravity, the star becomes an integral part of its galactic environment, tethered to other celestial bodies within its stellar community. Despite being hailed by Plato as "the moving likeness of eternity," every star faces an inevitable fate: as its nuclear fuel dwindles, it succumbs to its own gravitational pressure, culminating in a dramatic collapse. 

Emma Fielden's ‘Hours of Stars’ unfolds within Passage as an installation and performance that transforms the gallery into a space for cosmic reflection where the terrestrial plane mirrors the celestial. The installation, a meticulously arranged constellation of 108 hand-cast chalk rocks suspended by linen thread against a void-like black canvas, evokes the star-studded embrace of the night sky. This celestial assembly, floating at eye level, exists in a delicate balance, poised between the potential for motion and the stillness of the void. 

The heart of Fielden's exhibition beats in the moment of transformation — a performative act where the artist, as both creator and destroyer, severs the threads that tether the chalk rocks to the heavens. This act, reminiscent of the cosmic phenomena that shape the universe, precipitates a celestial downfall where each rock's shattering on the black paper below not only marks an end but also the beginning of a new constellation. The remnants of this celestial cascade, a dusting of bright chalk across the dark floor, map a stellar cartography born from destruction, a poignant reminder of the cycle of creation and destruction that shapes all existence. 

‘Hours of Stars’ echoes the cyclical nature of the cosmos, connecting to Fielden’s past works in its exploration of materiality, time's passage, and the artist's dual role as creator and change agent. The title is derived from Federico García Lorca's ‘Hours of Stars’ and embodies this poetic dialogue with the universe, inviting contemplation of the invisible threads that connect us to the vast expanse of the cosmos. The artwork stands as a metaphor for the human search for understanding and meaning in the face of the universe's incomprehensible vastness, beauty, and its unpredictable, often harsh forces. 

In this space, where time seems suspended, Fielden challenges us to consider our place within the cosmic order. The installation reflects on the transient nature of existence, where the ephemeral glow of chalk rocks against a seemingly eternal darkness invites us to ponder the delicate interplay between light and shadow, life and death. The aftermath of the performance — limp threads, shattered rocks, patterns of chalk dust — becomes a visual requiem for the stars, a testament to the enduring beauty and tragedy of the cosmos.