Dark Park sets sights on new site at Domain in Hobart

Dark Mofo organisers are seeking to more than double their grant from the Hobart City Council to create an alternative to Dark Park.

Dark Mofo organisers are seeking an extra $200,000 grant from the Hobart City Council to create an alternative to Dark Park at the Domain this year.

The large-scale art project will cost about $1 million in total.

It will start near the Hobart Cenotaph across the Bridge of Remembrance to the Domain.

To become a reality, the council would need to increase its funding to the festival from $150,000 to $350,000.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds appears supportive of the project.

“The Domain is an amazing area of public land in the heart of Hobart that has been a bit forgotten by the community,” she said.

“Having Dark Mofo art and activities up there will help the community rediscover the Domain.”

The creation of a car park and the leasing out of the site’s SeaRoad shed for filming of television crime series The Gloaming means Macquarie Point is not an option for Dark Park this year.

TV CRIME SERIES TRUMPS DARK PARK AT MAC POINT

Dark Mofo creative director Leigh Carmichael said this Domain festival would be different from Dark Park.

He said more details would be revealed if the proposal was approved by the council.

“It will be a different offering that is free, large-scale outdoor art scattered across the Domain,” he said.

“It will be a trial, but if it works maybe we can look at committing to that area for two to three years.”

Crowds flowing through the entrance to Dark Park. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The Tasmanian cave spider shaped Ogoh-Ogoh is paraded through Morrison St on its way to Dark Park. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

The spider-shaped Ogoh-Ogoh engulfed in flamed during The Burning at Dark Park. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mr Carmichael said if successful, the festival would invest in permanent infrastructure at the Domain.

“If we don’t get their funding we will still do something there but we will scale it back.,” Mr Carmichael said.

The council will consider its support for Dark Mofo at a closed committee meeting on Wednesday.

“An essential part of Dark Mofo has been the family friendly public space with interesting art works and I would like to see that continue,” Cr Reynolds said.

“Now that we have the new pedestrian bridge open, it’s a perfect chance for the council to work with Dark Mofo to use and enjoy the Domain.”

Dark Park attracted 98,000 visitors last year.