Dark Fringe: New Hobart festival issues call-out for artists to ‘take destiny into own hands’

Artists are being summoned to a new concept unfolding from the depths of Hobart’s dark heart. The “anarchic” Dark Fringe will be like nothing the city has seen before.

Sabio and David Male in the upcoming immersive experience, The Emergency Dollhouse. It's the first show to be included in Tasmania's first-ever Dark Fringe festival this June. Picture: Supplied

CREATIVE types are being summoned to a new concept unfolding from the depths of Hobart’s dark heart.

The inaugural Dark Fringe will run June 9 to 25, overlapping the Dark Mofo winter festival.

But unlike Dark Mofo, Dark Fringe will have no artistic director, but instead be grown organically by the artists involved.

Inspired by the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, acts will range from “world-class to experimental” – with instigators David Male and Sabio inviting creatives to reach out with ideas.

“This is the time and inflection point for talented creators to take destiny into their own hands,” Male said.

“It’s a good time to shift the dynamic, shift the momentum and have a Fringe as well – it works brilliantly for Edinburgh and it works brilliantly for Adelaide. So the business model for Fringe is proven.

“There will be no central artistic direction and that’s what makes it work. It creates a very beautiful, vibrant atmosphere.”

Sabio and David Male in the upcoming immersive experience, The Emergency Dollhouse. It's the first show to be included in Tasmania's first-ever Dark Fringe festival this June. Picture: Supplied

He said while the name of Dark Fringe “implies a certain vibe and approach” to the kind of artwork that would be included, Male and Sabio didn’t want to be prescriptive or exclude any works.

Artists don’t need to apply to be included, but instead need to be entrepreneurial in running their own events under the Dark Fringe umbrella.

Male and Sabio are themselves the stars of Dark Fringe’s first show – The Emergency Dollhouse.

Male explained the show will be an hour-long immersive experience where audiences must interact and participate with the Dollhouse staff.

“It’s impossible to solely be a voyeur or detached onlooker,” he said.

“But this is not just some sideshow, we are confident that The Emergency Dollhouse will be world-class. It’s going to be a prototype in Hobart but we’re confident it will travel to Melbourne, and then to New York and Berlin.”

Sabio and David Male are inviting artists to take part in Hobart’s first Dark Fringe festival in June. Picture: Supplied

A number of City of Hobart venues will be used to host Dark Fringe events, including the Town Hall, various basements, and 19th century gunpowder vaults, Male said.

Artists interested in hosting Dark Fringe events can contact Male and Sabio via Instagram at darkfringe_hobart or via Contemporary Arts Tasmania.

Follow @ambervwilson

Originally published as Dark Fringe: New Hobart festival issues call-out for artists to ‘take destiny into own hands’