Dark Mofo 2019: Performance artist Mike Parr returns to paint blindscape

Last year he spent three days under Macquarie St. This year, Mike Parr returns to Dark Mofo for his latest performance art display. SEE THE GALLERY AND DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

HEAD-turning Dark Mofo artist Mike Parr — known by many for spending three nights underground this time last year — will again take centre stage in an evocative art exhibition.

Last year Parr was buried in a container under Hobart’s Macquarie St for three days during Dark Mofo, and on Friday he returns with Towards a Black Square — an installation which will see Parr navigate a bare gallery space blindfolded with a brush and black paint.

The performance will take place in an undisclosed location and will be livestreamed to punters in the Old Mercury building on Argyle St.

GALLERY: OPENING OF IN THE HANGING GARDEN

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DARK MOFO 2019

HUNDREDS HANG OUT IN THE GARDEN

The location will later be revealed and open as an exhibition for a short time from 12pm on Saturday before the walls are painted over and returned to their original state.

His performance last year underneath Macquarie St bitumen was billed as memorialising the victims of 20th century totalitarian violence but drew comparisons to biblical times.

Mike Parr emerges from beneath Macquarie Street, Hobart, during last year’s Dark Mofo festival. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Parr’s performance on Friday, commissioned by Detached Cultural Organisation, has a theme of “What is Nothingness”.

Detached gallerist Michael Bugelli said the performance, scheduled for a 10am start, would go for “as long as it takes”.

“It could go for two hours, it could go for four,” he said.

Mr Bugelli said Hobartians had developed a fascination with Parr in recent years.

“They know Parr so well. His work has been exhibited here since 2008 and he’s become part of the cultural landscape,” he said.

Performance artist Mike Parr, right, will hold a Q&A session after his performance. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mr Bugelli said Parr’s return to perform at Dark Mofo 2019 most likely came about in a “very organic way”.

“Often these things just come about over lunch. At the end of Mike’s performance at Bruny Island a couple years ago, it was over dinner that the idea for the installation underneath the bitumen was discussed,” he said. After his performance on Friday, Parr will host a Q&A session at the Odeon Theatre from 1pm.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS

■ Dark + Dangerous Thoughts, 9.30am at the Odeon Theatre.

■ Gorillas in Our Midst, 10am-5pm at Mona.

■ Patrick Hall — If The Should Accidentally Fall, 10am-10pm at Narryna Heritage Museum.

■ Mike Parr presents Towards a Black Square, a blindfolded artwork in an undisclosed location live streamed to the Tunnel of the old Mercury building, 10am-6pm, free.

■ Altar presents Ecca Vandel Party in Hobart’s newest nightclub, 112 Murray St, door sales $29.

■ ¢ompo$t, an exhibition exploring transformation, exchange and currency, Old Hobart Blood Bank and Merchant Store, free.

■ Only the Pertinent Shall Pass by Andrew Hustwaite, exhibition at Rosny Barn, free.

■ In the Hanging Garden. Eat and drink into your weekend in the city’s new cultural precinct, 167 Liverpool St.

More details: https://darkmofo.net.au/