Creation through Destruction

Supernovae: Seeds of Light

Orla Linehan-Fox

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‘The beautiful exploding flowers called Supernovas illuminate a moving theme indeed: matter’s slow ascent to glory… Generously they open like blossom, showering space with their myriad winged atoms.’
Michel Cassé, Stellar Alchemy, 2003

About this Project

Working with astrophysicists at the Astrophysics Research Institute (ARI), ‘Creation through Destruction (2026) is the culmination of a year-long research project by Orla Linehan-Fox on the representation of astrophysics phenomena, particularly supernova – a phenomenon that occurs in the final stages of a star’s life. As the star’s mass exceeds its energy output, it collapses in on itself resulting in a cataclysmic explosion that scatters newly formed elements across the cosmos. In essence: fertilising the universe.

Forged in the heart of a supernova, copper is an inherited material of celestial origins, this sculpture embodies our intrinsic connection with the cosmos. Utilising fumage, oxidisation and bashing – transforming the material through destructive means – Creation through Destruction embodies the role of Alchemy in conjunction with Astronomical Observation, replicating the cosmos on a comparatively quantum scale through chemistry and physics: “What is Above corresponds to that which is Below” The Emerald Tablet (trans. 12th Century). Only through replicating the cosmos, can we truly understand it.

This Project explores the interdisciplinary space between Astronomy, Art and Alchemy, embodied by the methodological framework of the ‘Alchemist-as-Observer’ where both Astronomy and Art are a continual outcome of Observation. Within this context, only true observation is achieved through replicating findings just as the Alchemist replicates the cosmos. Creation through Destruction utilises destructive and transformative interventions to embody and reflect upon the cycles of renewal within the cosmos and the ouroboros cycle of the alchemist’s endeavour.

There are several outcomes of this project: a copper sculpture, an embodiment of this research project; an Exhibition displaying said sculpture and a cumulative outcome for the project; a short film documenting the process of creating the sculpture (with sonified astronomical data); an extended version of the short film narrated by astrophysicists; and a speculative extension of the sculpture ‘Creation through Destruction Supernovae: Seeds of Light‘ where light is incorporated within the sculpture to emulate Gamma Ray Bursts.

This project has been underpinned by extensive research into alchemical and observational practices as well as continual dialogue with Astronomers from the Astrophysics Research Institute.

Artist Statement

Orla Linehan-Fox is an interdisciplinary practitioner who focuses on the fluctuating space between astronomy, art and alchemy, and the role of the Observer. Emanating from the limitation of two-dimensional images, especially those picked up by telescopes and satellites, Orla endeavours to represent astrophysical phenomena in sculptural form, facilitating interaction and active observation. Orla’s material encounter with the sculptural medium is intrinsic to her practice, often documenting her process, she considers herself a collaborator with the material: working intuitively with its transformation.

Previously working with Astrophysicists at Goonhilly Earth Station (Helston, Cornwall), Orla’s First Light (2023) remains on show in the Goonhilly Control Tower. The sculpture works to represent the radio waves picked up by the satellites, including those from Cosmic Background Radiation (the afterglow of the Big Bang). Moving away from materials such as paper, wire and light, Creation through Destruction (2026) explores working with copper, in Orla’s most ambitious project to date.