Tasmania’s midwinter arts and music extravaganza, Dark Mofo, has thrown open its doors, marking the start of another season of provocative installations, electrifying parties, and boundary-pushing artistic expression. Run by the renowned Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), the festival, now underway, promises to ignite the senses and challenge perceptions throughout its run.
Organisers are anticipating a significant turnout, with over 55,000 tickets already snapped up. Several of the festival’s most sought-after events, including the immersive Night Mass and the bracing Nude Solstice Swim, have completely sold out, underscoring the event’s enduring popularity and the eager anticipation it generates.
The economic impact of Dark Mofo on the local community is substantial. Hobart’s Lord Mayor, Anna Reynolds, highlighted the festival’s contribution, stating that it injects “so much excitement into the local community and economic development,” estimating its value to the local economy at approximately $31 million.
Art Afloat and Ritualistic Release
This year, a new Spirit of Tasmania ferry is playing host to a captivating free public art installation. Visitors can experience a video artwork by female artist Berna Reale, which features a striking depiction of a “blood red horse” being ridden by an artist who appears “muzzled and uniformed.” This piece promises to be a thought-provoking addition to the festival’s diverse artistic offerings.
Returning to the festival is the evocative Ogoh Ogoh ceremony. This deeply symbolic event provides an opportunity for attendees to confront and release their fears. Festival-goers are invited to pen their anxieties onto paper, which are then placed within a towering, totem-like sculpture. As the festival culminates, this structure will be ritually burned, symbolising the purging of negativity. This year’s Ogoh Ogoh takes the form of a giant Pedra Branca skink, an endangered lizard native to the remote Pedra Branca Island off Tasmania’s rugged south coast, adding an ecological and conservationist layer to the ritual.
The festival is scheduled to run until June 22, with the iconic Nude Solstice Swim serving as its grand finale.
A Culinary Journey at the Winter Feast
The Winter Feast, a cornerstone of the Dark Mofo experience, is set to welcome an estimated 100,000 visitors across both weeks of the festival, running from Thursday to Sunday. This sprawling banquet is more than just a food market; it’s a curated gastronomic adventure.
Leading the culinary charge are guest chefs Floriano Pellegrino, a Michelin-star chef, and Roberto Mele from the artisanal Hobart bakery MAMA. They will be presenting an array of innovative dishes, including a traditional Italian broad bean puree accompanied by a limoncello foam, artfully presented in the mould of a kiss. Feast curator Amanda Vallis described the experience as “a beautiful moment,” where “to consume the foam you have to kind of kiss and suck.” She further elaborated on the festival’s ethos, stating, “That sort of combination of art and food… which is a key part of what we want to do.”
They will be joined by an impressive contingent of 74 other local stallholders, hailing from all corners of Tasmania. Notably, 40 per cent of these vendors are first-time participants, a testament to the festival’s commitment to fostering new talent and ensuring a dynamic, evolving offering. “The main thing is keeping it really new and fresh every year and making sure that we’re opening up that opportunity to as many Tasmanian businesses as possible to showcase what they do,” Ms Vallis commented.
The eclectic menu at the Winter Feast is a reflection of Tasmania’s diverse produce and culinary creativity. Among the adventurous offerings are “responsibly harvested” possum bao buns from South Wine Bar and the intriguing olive oil ice cream from Canopy Ice Cream.
Accessible Art for All
While many of Dark Mofo’s signature events require tickets, Executive Director Melissa Edwards emphasised the festival’s dedication to inclusivity by offering a range of free public events. “Every year we run Dark Park, and that’s the heart of our free public art program,” she explained. “We really try and balance our program with a mix of free events and paid opportunities as well.”
A significant initiative this year, supported by the Hobart City Council, is the waiving of entry fees to the Winter Feast on its final night, June 21. This move is part of the council’s broader commitment to ensuring the festival’s accessibility. “It’s part of our contribution to ensuring that these events are really accessible to everyone from the community, no matter what income they’re on or the circumstances,” stated Cr Reynolds.
Following 9 pm on the final night, and for all attendees under 16, entrance to the Winter Feast will be free. Standard entry fees for the feast range from $12 to $24. The Hobart City Council’s support extends beyond ticket subsidies, with an annual contribution of $200,000 for three years, alongside crucial in-kind assistance such as traffic management and access to council properties. “The whole winter events, winter festivals piece is such an important part of Hobart’s place in the world. It really celebrates our creativity,” Cr Reynolds concluded.
