Hobart is heating up for Dark MOFO, the coldest (and coolest) festival to come out of MONA.
The festival's programme (12-22 June) is based on poetics of the night, coinciding with the short, dark days of the Tasmanian winter. The mix of performance, installation art, food and music promises to be immersive, terrifying and beautiful.
Visual artists include avant-garde rule breaker Anthony McCall, who is installing lasers into misty warehouses alongside gigantic fire sculptures in new festival hotspot, Dark Park. Family friendly and sure to deliver, Dark Park also sports a nightly search ship and a petrifying sound installation named 'bass bath' – where the subwoofers are measured in horse power.
There will be a slew of culinary delights on offer at Winter Feast and the programme pages sporting artisan foodies from all over are enough to wet them through with drool.
The theatre programme also has plenty of treats; Melbourne theatre darlings The Rabble bringing smash hit 'Orlando', while newcomers Guerrilla Museum come with their Adelaide hit, 'Funeral' – where audience members exclusively attend their own funeral. There will also be a host of underground performances at the notorious afterparty, BlackList – follow their page on Facebook to find out the secret location.
And I have to make mention of the controversial performance art queen, Marina Abramovic’s presence – endorsed by Lady Gaga and recently fighting publicly with Jay Z over their collaborative work – she is a monumental figurehead and is sure to divide tastes. It’s a privilege to have her coming to Australia and working with local performance artists to make her MONA exhibition.
The music programme is almost entirely sold out already, speaking volumes (pun intended) about the quality of musicians headed to Dark MOFO. The angelic vocals of Antony and the Johnsons are a rare and wonderful treat, along with Pallbearer, The Preachers and Brous.
Not forgetting the wonderful, classical music programme, which includes mulled wine and strings on MONA’s rooftop. Hot House will spark debate with thinkers responding to the state of education in Tasmania – the outcomes to be discussed and exhibited.
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It is a diverse and immersive programme, certainly the coolest ten days in the Tasmanian calendar year. If you want to get in to play at one of Australia’s best festivals, you better book in quick – it’s selling out as fast as the winter chills are settling in.
Dark MOFO takes place at various locations in and around Hobart 12-22 June.
