Fresh attempt to revive multi-million art installation Project X for Huon Valley

A proposal for a “never ending kaleidoscope” art installation in the Huon Valley by Mona DarkLab’s Project X could be back on the books. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS >>

A PROPOSAL for multimillion-dollar art installation in the Huon Valley by Mona DarkLab’s Project X is back on the books.

Mona’s Darklab has confirmed a fresh attempt is being made to get the project past the local council.

In September last year, the Huon Valley Council rejected the application for Transformer, an artwork by American artist Doug Aitken, which was proposed for the Ida Bay Reserve, south of Dover.

“The project has been delayed due to the Huon Valley Council’s decision to reject the Development Application, a DarkLab spokeswoman said.

Doug Aitken, Transformer for Project X. Artist impression. Image courtesy :copyright: Doug Aitken and DarkLab

“We continue to work on an updated proposal that responds to the council’s concerns and we expect to be able to lodge a new application in coming weeks.”

The $9.5m installation, described as a “never ending kaleidoscope”, was announced last year as part of Project X, with hopes it would attract tourists to the Huon Valley in the wake of the 2019 bushfires.

It was rejected over concerns it would have an impact on other ventures.

The federal government provided $1.5m under the Arts and Cultural Development Program for Project X.

“The Morrison government is committed to supporting regional communities, which is why we are supporting the Huon Valley following the devastating January 2019 bushfires,” Minister Paul Fletcher said when announcing the funding in August 2020.

Project X presents a series of major artworks in the Huon, with the aim of bringing visitors back to the south in the wake of the bushfires that recently ravaged the island.

Franklin Labor MP Julie Collins said she was concerned at how long it was taking to deliver money that was intended as relief for bushfires three years ago and promised 18 months ago.

“More than 18 months later the money is unspent, and the project is in limbo,’’ she said.

“Scott Morrison made a clear commitment to the Huon that he would assist the area recover from bushfires.

“Last year Scott Morrison excluded the Huon Valley from a $276m grant program for bushfire recovery from the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.

“This is despite widespread property damage – including to a number of significant businesses and employers – from bushfires in the Huon Valley in early 2019.

“The area is still recovering from the 2019 fires and it was completely unfair for the Valley to be excluded from this funding given the devastating bushfires that impacted the region.”

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