Performance artist Mike Parr to star at Art School Q&A

PERFORMANCE artist Mike Parr might not have said much on Sunday as he emerged from his self-imposed exile under Macquarie St but he will be ready to answer questions today.

PERFORMANCE artist Mike Parr might not have said much on Sunday as he emerged from his self-imposed exile under Macquarie St but he will be ready to answer questions at a forum today.

Parr, who spent 72 hours under the busy thoroughfare, will take part in a public Q&A at the University of Tasmania’s Art School on Hunter St from 1pm.

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The Australian artist’s unusual work — titled Underneath the Bitumen the Artist — was his third and final performance to be included in Mona’s winter festival, Dark Mofo.

He was interred below the bitumen in the middle lane of Macquarie St from 9.36pm on June 14 until the same time on Sunday night.

He had water, air and light but no food.

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Mike Parr emerging from his Macquarie St tomb.

Hundreds of people gatherered on a cold winter’s night to watch the artist resurface. Pictures: MATHEW FARRELL

Parr’s work was conceived to memorialise the victims of 20th century totalitarian violence in all of its forms around the world, including the shadow cast by the genocidal violence of nineteenth century British colonialism in Australia.

The public was be able to witness Parr’s “disappearance” under the road, but following the entombment, the road was returned to familiar use.

It was the anxiety of Parr’s disappearance which was the point of the piece, organisers say.

UNDERNEATH THE BITUMEN THE ARTIST: #MikeParr. #DarkMofo. pic.twitter.com/LP2Z1wDnf6

— Dark Mofo (@Dark_Mofo) June 17, 2018

Parr out! @Dark_Mofo performance artist Mike Parr emerges from under Macquarie St, Hobart https://t.co/3TfSHrQTXr

— Mercury (@themercurycomau) June 17, 2018