Director Leigh Carmichael ‘concerned' about the future of Dark Mofo

Dark Mofo festival director Leigh Carmichael has broken his silence about plans to scrap the famous winter festival in 2022 and replace it with an all-Indigenous event called Blak Mofo. LATEST >>

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UPDATE, 9.30am Wednesday:

DARK Mofo festival director Leigh Carmichael has broken his silence about plans to scrap the famous winter festival in 2022 and replace it with an all-Indigenous event called Blak Mofo.

Two days after the Mercury exclusively broke the story about Mona founder David Walsh’s bold plans to reinvent the festival in the wake of furore about a planned exhibit at this year’s Dark Mofo that involved soaking a Union Jack in the blood of First Nations people, Mr Carmichael revealed he was not part of the initial proposal.

“While not being part of the initial proposal BlakMofo has some merit,” Mr Carmichael told the Mercury.

“But I’m concerned about Dark Mofo at the moment.”

Dark Mofo festival director Leigh Carmichael.

He would not be drawn further about details of the festival or the future of his role as creative director.

It is understood the Blak Mofo concept was the brainchild of Tasmanian Aboriginal artist Fiona Hamilton who suggested the festival in 2022 could be completely run and organised by Indigenous groups, with a First Nations person taking on the role of creative director.

Ms Hamilton would not comment on the plans when contacted by the Mercury yesterday.

The move has come less than a week after Mr Walsh apologised over a controversial artwork planned for the popular winter festival that would have soaked a British flag in the blood of First Nations peoples.

Less than 24 hours after defending the work after strong nationwide outrage against the concept — Union Flag by Spanish artist Santiago Sierra — Dark Mofo creative director Leigh Carmichael announced they were cancelling it.

Many Mona staff members had signed a letter penned by curator Emma Pike and sent to him, denouncing Sierra’s project.

“This work is tone-deaf to the current fights for a treaty, equality, for Aboriginal-led conversations, and ultimately reconciliation (no matter how fraught this particular concept may be),” a portion of the letter read.

Mr Walsh and Mona have refused to provide comment.

MONDAY, MARCH 29:

MONA will replace Dark Mofo next year with a festival to be run completely by indigenous groups, the Mercury can confirm.

An email was sent to staff at the museum on Monday announcing a new, culturally-sensitive festival to take its place for one year.

Journalist Lee Lin Chin shared on her Instagram stories her opposition to Dark Mofo major project Union Flag by Spanish artist Santiago Sierra. Source: INSTAGRAM.

The festival called Blak Mofo would be run entirely by First Nations peoples.

The email confirmed there would be a change to the festival next year, in 2022.

If successful, the Blak Mofo event could become an ongoing event in addition to Dark Mofo.

The move has come less than a week after Mr Walsh apologised over a controversial artwork planned for the popular winter festival that would have soaked a British flag in the blood of First Nations peoples.

Dark Mofo Creative Director Leigh Carmichael. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

David Walsh. Photo Credit: Mona/Jesse Hunniford.

Less than 24 hours after defending the work after strong nationwide outrage against the concept — Union Flag by Spanish artist Santiago Sierra — Dark Mofo creative director Leigh Carmichael announced they were cancelling it.

Many Mona staff members had signed a letter penned by curator Emma Pike and sent to him, denouncing Sierra’s project.

“This work is tone-deaf to the current fights for a treaty, equality, for Aboriginal-led conversations, and ultimately reconciliation (no matter how fraught this particular concept may be),” a portion of the letter read.

Mr Carmichael and Mona were contacted for comment.