The fourth annual Dark Mofo – Mona’s winter arts festival – came to a close on Tuesday 21 June 2016 as the sun rose again over the city of Hobart after the longest night of the year in Australia.
Early tallying of ticketed events and attendances at events in and around Hobart and Willow Court at New Norfolk show that more than 275,000 people enjoyed the festivities, however full attendance statistics will be compiled over the coming weeks and indicate a significant growth on last year’s numbers.
Festival organisers are again inspired by the enthusiastic support of Dark Mofo events, which reflect the community’s willingness to embrace the cold and dark, and participate in a collective winter celebration through large-scale art, feasting, fire, film, and noise.
Dark Mofo Creative Director Leigh Carmichael said: “There’s something very special happening with Dark Mofo each winter in Tasmania. This festival is taking on a life of its own, as the community embrace the winter period with unprecedented passion. It’s evident with the bustling streets and nighttime revelry in precincts like the Winter Feast and Dark Park, but just as rewarding is seeing fringe events popping up all over greater Hobart.
“It looks like our numbers will have increased on last year, which is great – but our focus remains on providing new and unique experiences, and audience feedback in this area seems positive, so we are all pleased.”
The festival may have drawn to a close but with Tasmanian school holidays approaching, the Dark Mofo dream is far from over, as organisers announce continuation of the House of Mirrors installation at Dark Park on Hobart’s waterfront at Macquarie Point.
The House of Mirrors enticed close to 12,000 visitors across seven nights, inspiring artists Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney to work with Dark Mofo to extend access to the joyously discombobulating fairground attraction, which will continue operations until 10 July 2016.
Described as “a bewitching experience … an artful take on the classic sideshow favourite” (The Guardian), “joyously fun” (Sydney Morning Herald), “a brilliant twist on the old fairground classic” (Daily Review), and “a Dark Park highlight” (ABC News), the House of Mirrors is a delight for young and old.
House of Mirrors re-opens this Friday 24 June 2016 from 5pm-9pm at Dark Park (Evans St, Macquarie Point, Hobart, Tasmania). Continues until 10 July, noon – 5pm (closed Tuesdays; open till 7pm Fridays). Accessible by wheelchair. Door sales are $10. See website for further details: http://darkmofo.net.au/house-of-mirrors
Other ongoing Dark Mofo events in and around Hobart include: Made of Holes by Lucy Irvine, exhibition at Rosny Barn, Rosny, continuing until 26 June, Big Cheese group exhibition at Contemporary Art Tasmania, Tasma St Hobart, continuing until 17 July, and the major exhibition Tempest, curated by Juliana Engberg at Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, continuing until 20 November 2016.
At the Museum of Old and New Art, Cameron Robbins’ Field Lines continues until 29 August, and supersymmetry by Ryoji Ikeda remains a new work in Mona’s permanent evolving collection.
And as locals know, winter is far from over.
Also keeping the festive fires burning are upcoming signature events, Festival of Voices (June 30 – July 17) which draws choirs and singers from around the world and draws the community together for the Big Sing and bonfire to celebrate, plus the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest (July 15-17), which is based on the age-old tradition of wassailing the cider orchard to ensure a fruitful harvest in the coming year. Tasmania’s curious winter season has more to offer around the state.
Dark Mofo is a project of Mona, supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania, and the City of Hobart.
House of Mirrors video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roRK5Ca12qo
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Rebecca Fitzgibbon, Erin Lawler
