Throughout human history solar eclipses have been viewed as omens of pending disaster. Inspired by the 2023 total solar eclipse in Exmouth Western Australia, celebrated contemporary artist Andrew Nicholls has conceived a suite of visual art works speculating about the disaster that this particular eclipse may have been foretelling, to be showcased at Holmes à Court @ No. 10 throughout February.

You are invited to join us at Holmes à Court Gallery for the world premiere of a musical work commissioned by the artist from acclaimed contemporary classical ensembles Ad Lib Collective and Wind Up Bird. Mimicking the timing of the Exmouth eclipse, audiences will experience a sense of the drama and beauty of this extraordinary solar event, with its frenetic build-up of energy, and the uncanny awe of the ‘moment of totality’. Part sonic performance experience and part-magickal ritual, Portent (a ritual) represents a unique collaboration of creative disciplines spanning the visual and performing arts.