Council hints at “experimental” art projects rolling out across Hobart

Hobart Council is remaining tight-lipped as Mercury readers notice a string of bizarre additions to the city. Find out who’s behind it >>

A series of post-apocalyptic plaques from the future have been spotted springing up around Hobart, raising questions about the meaning behind the mystery artwork.

The plaques, which refer to “The Event of 2028”, a fatal group expedition of “survivors” to New Zealand and the 2038 “Battle of Elizabeth St” were first noticed by Mercury readers a fortnight ago.

Hobart Council has played its cards close to its chest in responding to questions about the pop-up art, but it is understood the plaques are one of eight installations that will appear this year as part of the CityPILOTS program.

The program’s temporary exhibits will be funded by the federal government through the RISE (restart investment to sustain and expand) initiative, which has handed out $200m in grants across the last two years.

MONA senior designer David Campbell is the artist behind the plaques, releasing photos of a collection of them on Instagram, but has maintained an air of mystery over their meaning by not responding to requests for comment from the Mercury.

Hobart’s Matt Daniels, Margaret Woodward and Tom O’Hern and Welsh artist Camilla Brueton will also have their work featured throughout the CityPILOTS series.