Solstice meditation to be broadcast city wide for Dark Mofo

If you hear strange sounds reverberating around the city, there’s no need to worry. Dark Mofo is set to take over the broadcast system usually reserved for emergencies.

Genasys sound system will play Russell's 30-minute meditation on the winter solstice called "Every Jewel Reflects Every Other Jewel" Photo: Joseph Shrimpton. Courtesy of Dark Mofo

The streets of Hobart will be flooded with the sounds of a meditative musical piece dedicated

to the winter solstice during Dark Mofo.

Dark Mofo artistic director Chris Twite said festival attendees will be able to get “inside the artwork” as a Richard Russell / Everything Is Recorded song “Every Jewel Reflects Every Other Jewel” has its world premiere across Hobart using a public broadcasting system usually reserved for emergencies.

Producer Richard Russell. Picture: Aliyah Otchere, courtesy of Dark Mofo

Dark Mofo artistic director Chris Twite. Picture: Jesse Hunniford Mona

“This is something that can only happen in Hobart,” Twite said.

“We are the only arts festival in the entire world to be using a system like this for art.”

The Genasys LRAD is usually reserved for emergencies and the broadcast can be heard for kilometres.

Genasys sound system will play Russell's 30-minute meditation on the winter solstice called "Every Jewel Reflects Every Other Jewel" Photo: Joseph Shrimpton. Courtesy of Dark Mofo

Twite said the festival was using the sound system to “spread the sound to the scale of the landscape and the environment in which the solstice is in”.

“This is a tool only activated in times of crisis or panic,” he said.

“To take that tool and convert its purpose to be a celebration, mediation and artistic expression on a grand scale is something Hobart can hold its head high about.”

Twite likened the piece to early Dark Mofo exhibition Spectre, which allowed visitors to see art from anywhere in the city and feel part of the exhibition.

Dark MOFO event. The last night of Ryoji Ikeda's light installation being beamed from the Domain in Hobart. Viewed from West Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“The artwork will fill the streets and you’ll be inside the artwork as soon as you step outside.

“There’s something really incredible about being able to be in your own backyard and see something spectacular.

“You can have this incredible moment with a world premier from an international artist in your own backyard- just by stepping outside,” Twite said.

On Friday June 6 from 8pm-830pm and Saturday June 14 6pm-630pm Every Jewel Reflects Every Other Jewel will be played city wide.

Originally published as Solstice meditation to be broadcast city wide for Dark Mofo