DARK MOFO 2015 ANNOUNCES NEW MAJOR PROJECT: THE HOTHOUSE

• Dark Mofo announces evolution of Future Hobart, called The Hothouse
• The Hothouse project is comprised of four components, including: the Hothouse structure, 72-hour ideas session, ideas forum, and ideas exhibition
• The Hothouse is a project of Dark Mofo, Clemenger Tasmania/OMD, City of Hobart, University of Tasmania, and News Corp Australia

Last year, Dark Mofo presented a newly-conceived project in partnership with the City of Hobart called Future Hobart 2014, as part of the Museum of Old and New Art’s winter festival in Tasmania, Australia.

Building on the strengths and learnings of the project, this year we will again explore the use of public space and community engagement to consider an issue of important public interest – not only to Hobart, but extending to all Tasmanians. In early April, the topic will be announced. But how it will be facilitated is key to its success.

The 2015 project was conceived in a collaboration between Clemenger Tasmania/OMD and Dark Mofo. Called The Hothouse, it will gather the most creative and strategic thinkers and communicators in a purpose-built temporary structure to share their ideas, passion and skills to generate ideas in response to an issue.

The Hothouse space has been designed in collaboration between Sydney’s Cave Urban Design Collective and Master Architecture Students from the School of Design, University of Tasmania, for the past two months. The structure will be built on Salamanca Lawns during May, and also represents a physical example of how creativity can resolve issues.

The Hothouse project components include:
• the Hothouse Structure: designed and built in partnership between UTAS and Cave Urban Design Collective through February to May 2015;
• the Hothouse Session: a 72-hour session in the structure from June 1-3: to creatively generate ideas in response to an issue resulting in 12 ideas;
• the Hothouse Forum at the Odeon Theatre during Dark Mofo on June 11: presenting the 12 ideas to the public;
• the Hothouse Ideas exhibition in the Structure during Dark Mofo from June 11-13: presenting the workings, the ideas that didn’t make it, and the 12 that did.
During the Hothouse Session, for 72 hours our participants will demonstrate the power of creative thinking to generate ideas in response to an issue. The ideas generated by the Hothouse can initiate real and meaningful change; change that can affect the way people see, behave, and think about the issue at hand, which affects our state and our people.

The Hothouse is presented by Clemenger Tasmania/OMD, City of Hobart, News Corp Australia, Dark Mofo and the University of Tasmania, coinciding with their 125th Anniversary. Future Hobart projects like the Hothouse position the City of Hobart as an innovator, investing in creative outcomes and opportunities for the next generation of Tasmanians.

Dark Mofo Creative Director Leigh Carmichael said: “Dark Mofo is presenting the Hothouse with our project partners as a way to highlight how creative thinking can generate ‘outside the box’ ideas to difficult and complex topics. The Hothouse presents a visible space for this kind of activity, with a focus on community engagement and tangible outcomes.”

Marcus Murphy, Creative Director of Clemenger Tasmania is excited about the bold aim of The Hothouse. “The Hothouse is a project that is close to our hearts. We passionately believe in the power of ideas to resolve an issue – and this is a big, bold way to show it.”

Matt Fishburn, Managing Director of Clemenger Tasmania/OMD agrees. “The Hothouse is a unique opportunity to collaborate, share the results of an exciting project and make a real difference to Tasmania.”

The Director of the University of Tasmania’s Academy of Creative Industries and Performing Arts (ACIPA), Professor Stephen Loo, said: “It is tremendously fitting that part of the celebration of our 125th anniversary is a project which sits at the heart of the University’s values around discovery and the power of creativity. Our involvement in the design of the Hothouse Pavilion has also created a phenomenal student experience. The University’s commitment to excellence in knowledge, research, teaching and the student experience is what underpins our global standing.”

The City of Hobart’s Alderman Dr Peter Sexton, Chairman of the Community, Culture and Events Committee said: “Future Hobart is an excellent opportunity for the community to become involved in conversations about issues affecting the City as well as the state more broadly. The Hothouse will enable academics, entrepreneurs, young people and community representatives to come together to proactively discuss complex challenges which will then become the subject of a public forum and exhibition. Having the unique Hothouse structure in the Salamanca Place precinct will provide an iconic focus for the generation of ideas as part of Dark Mofo. Future Hobart began as part of the festival in 2014 and it is great to see this public dialogue continue as part of this year’s festival.”

Cave Urban design collective’s Juan Pablo Pinto explains that the Hothouse Pavilion is the product of research, work-shopping ideas, innovative problem solving and collaborative design between students, professionals and the community. “The temporary bamboo structure facilitates further creative and collaborative thinking. It embodies the very essence of the Hothouse itself, in fact, it is its first product.”

Cave Urban looking for bamboo in Tasmania: Cave Urban Design Collective is looking for bamboo to use in the Hothouse structure. If any Tasmanians have some bamboo that can be thinned out a little, Cave Urban will come to you. Email info@caveurban.com

www.thehothouse.net.au

Pictures: https://www.flickr.com/gp/67221831@N08/zDFM23/

Dark Mofo 2015 lineup will be announced on Friday 10 April. www.darkmofo.net.au

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Rebecca Fitzgibbon | Events Media Manager | Mona |