Mike Parr’s performance under Hobart’s main street is over, and there’s no sign it even happened

WITHOUT so much as a hello, smile or a wave, Mike Parr last night climbed out of his underground tomb before being whisked out of Hobart’s cold and dark winter. SEE THE VIDEO

WITHOUT so much as a hello, smile or a wave, Mike Parr last night climbed out of his underground tomb before being whisked out of Hobart’s cold and dark winter.

A large crowd braved the chilly conditions on Macquarie St to see the Australian performance artist being released from the container in which he was buried for three days as part of Dark Mofo.

The lid was lifted about 9.35pm, with Parr stepping out at 9.40pm before being quickly ushered away. He didn’t speak a word or even offer a gesture to cheering spectators.

The Mercury was told by Dark Mofo organisers that neither Parr nor Dark Mofo creative director Leigh Carmichael would be addressing the media.

Mike Parr's emergence from beneath Macquarie St after 72 hours underground. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Parr will instead speak at a post-performance forum tomorrow from 1-2pm at the University of Tasmania’s Dechaineux Theatre on Hunter St. The 73-year-old’s performance Underneath the Bitumen the Artist was an acknowledgment to the transportation of 75,000 British and Irish convicts to Tasmania in the 19th century, and the subsequent destruction of the state’s Aboriginal population.

Spectator and Aboriginal community member Nala Mansell said Parr should have spoken publicly after his emergence or maybe come out waving an Aboriginal flag.

“I think for sure if there was a platform once he’d come out where he could educate the community on the Aboriginal history in Tasmania rather than [it being] just a symbolic gesture,” she said.

Ms Mansell said she supported Parr raising awareness for the burial of indigenous history but a discussion should have been held.

“I do think it would have been better to have consulted the Aboriginal community before he’d done this and we could have offered our support,” she said.

After his emergence from beneath Macquarie St, Mike Parr entered the old Mercury building without a word or any acknowledgment to the crowds that had gathered to see him. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Spectator Anthony Strong of Lutana said Parr could have said something to the public but that was not the artist’s style.

“He’s given his impression of [the performance] to us … but he wants it to be about how we feel about it,” Mr Strong said.

Aboriginal flags were waved while workers released artist Mike Parr. Picture: AAP/ROB BLAKERS

Roland Browne of Glebe wasn’t disappointed that Parr left the scene without speaking.

“It’s a very personal experience for him and the way people perceive his artistic venture is a matter for the individual,” Mr Browne said.

“I don’t think he needs to justify anything he’s done.”

Air was pumped into the container to keep Parr alive but he didn’t take any food, only water, and planned to spend his time meditating, drawing and reading.

Mike Parr's emergence from beneath Macquarie St, Hobart, where he stayed for 72 hours as part of the Dark Mofo festival. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL