Dark Mofo cancels ‘First Nations blood’ art work after backlash
Dark Mofo has scrapped a controversial art work which called for blood donations from First Nations peoples to soak a British flag.
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Winter festival Dark Mofo has scrapped a controversial art work which soaks a British flag in the blood of First Nations peoples.
The work, Union Flag, by Spanish artist Santiago Sierra, invited First Nations peoples from countries and territories colonised by the British Empire, who live in Australia, to donate blood for the project.
However, the art work, and calls for blood donations, sparked a furious response on Dark Mofo’s Instagram page on Monday.
On Tuesday, after vowing Sierra’s work would go ahead, Dark Mofo’s creative director Leigh Carmichael, said on the festival’s social media page: “We’ve heard the community’s response to Santiago Sierra’s Union Flag.
“In the end the hurt that will be caused by proceeding isn’t worth it. We made a mistake, and take full responsibility. The project will be cancelled.”
Mr Carmichael added: “We apologise to all First Nations people for any hurt that has been caused. We are sorry.”
The about-face followed angry criticism about the project.
Kia Puru, an Australian singer of Maori descent said: “We are asking the white creative directors of Mofo, who have commissioned a white coloniser to soak a flag in the blood of First Nations folk, to understand why this is completely inappropriate and deeply upsetting.”
Indigenous rapper Adam Briggs added:” We already gave enough blood.”
Responding to the criticism, Dark Mofo’s creative director Leigh Carmichael released a statement late on Monday.
“We’ve been overwhelmed with responses to Santiago Sierra’s Union Flag by Indigenous and non-Indigenous people from around the world,” he said.
“We understand, respect and appreciate the many diverse views in relation to this confronting project.
“Self-expression is a fundamental human right, and we support artists to make and present work regardless of their nationality or cultural background.”
He added: “The range of perspectives reflects the conversations we had with Tasmanian Aboriginal people prior to announcing the project.
“It’s not surprising that the atrocities committed as a result of colonising nations continue to haunt us.”
Dark Mofo announced plans to stage Sierra’s art work on Saturday.
In an open letter, Sierra said: “The use of the British flag is not about any specific people, but rather seeks to reflect on the material on which states and empires are built.
“The First Nations people of Australia suffered enormously and brutally from British colonialism. Nowhere more so than in Tasmania where the Black War in the early 19th century had a devastating impact, almost killing the entire Tasmanian Aboriginal population — an act that has since been defined as genocide.
“The intent of this project is against colonialism,” Sierra said. “It is an acknowledgment of the pain and destruction colonialism has caused First Nations peoples, devastating entire cultures and civilisations. Colonisation by the British Empire is only one example of plundering and conquest, albeit one of the most forceful, both for its geographic reach and for the genocidal methods applied.”
Earlier Mr Carmichael, said: “We’re pleased to announce the inclusion of Santiago Sierra’s Union Flag in this year’s festival.
“It’s a logistically difficult project and we are working diligently to ensure we are able to realise the work for the upcoming festival. This call out to First Nations peoples from countries claimed by the British Empire at some point in history to participate is the first public phase of the project.
“We hope to receive interest from as many people across Australia as possible.”
Dark Mofo runs from June 16 to 22, with a full program to be announced next month.
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