Hobart Airport removes Dark Mofo sign, organiser Leigh Carmichael labels move an ‘over-reaction’

A sign promoting Dark Mofo in the Hobart Airport terminal has been taken down after just one day, prompting the festival’s creative director to label the move an “over-reaction”.

A sign promoting Dark Mofo has been removed from the Hobart Airport terminal after a number of complaints were reportedly made by members of the public.

The festival’s creative director Leigh Carmichael has labelled the decision an “over-reaction”.

Displayed in the baggage claim area, the advertisement featured the words ‘Welcome to Hell’ in red font on a black background and was taken down after being up for just one day.

Mr Carmichael said the festival’s organisers were “disappointed” in the airport’s decision to remove the sign.

“It was clearly tongue-in-cheek and references one of the major events in this year’s festival, A Divine Comedy by Austrian artist Florentina Holzinger,” he said.

“There is obviously a lot of nervousness in the community about the festival after years of controversy, but this seems an over-reaction.

Dark Mofo’s 'Welcome to Hell' sign at Hobart Airport, which was taken down after one day, Picture: Twitter/Matilda Boseley

“Our fear is that eventually we will be forced to water down our thematics to a point that the festival becomes bland, and no longer worth doing at all.”

A Hobart Airport spokesman said the airport had been “proud to support Dark Mofo over many years and continues to do so”.

“Every year we change our iconic ‘Welcome to Hobart’ sign above our terminal to fit in with the theme of Dark Mofo and will be doing so again this year, along with lighting up the airport in red once more,” he said.

“We are a family-friendly airport and want to make sure everyone can enjoy their visit, so we’re not showing one particular advertisement inside the terminal.”

Leigh Carmichael creative director of Dark Mofo. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Mercury understands the ‘Welcome to Hell’ sign was removed after several complaints were received and some people expressed concern that the advertisement was scaring their children.

Dark Mofo begins on June 8 and runs until June 22. The festival is this year marking its 10-year anniversary.

It’s the final event Mr Carmichael will be helming as creative director before shifting his focus to his role as director of Darklab.

Holzinger’s A Divine Comedy, an interpretation of Dante’s 14th century narrative poem, features an all-female cast and will be performed at MyState Bank Arena.