Mona’s DarkLab announces Project X, a major public art venture in Southern Tasmania with $2 million in combined funding committed by the Federal and State Governments to help boost visitation to the region.
Project X is a program of contemporary artworks, events, and activations taking place over the next 12 months, designed to bring visitors to the Huon Valley region after the wide-spread destructive bushfires over the 2018–2019 summer period, resulting in damaged infrastructure including a major attraction, the Tahune Airwalk.
Project X aims to support the region while the Tahune Airwalk is closed, providing multiple reasons for Tasmanians and tourists alike to visit the area over the next year. It is being developed to ensure visitation occurs over an extended period and aligns with regional infrastructure and experiences.
DarkLab will continue to work with the local tourism industry, Tourism Tasmania and Destination Southern Tasmania, to promote Project X and the region over the next 12 months.
“We know people travel for difference – to see, taste, hear and feel different things. Mona has had a huge impact on Tasmania’s cultural landscape and its festivals bring thousands of visitors to the state every year,” said Emma Terry, Tourism Tasmania’s Chief Marketing Officer.
“So, it’s incredibly exciting to have Leigh Carmichael and the DarkLab team working on Project X to deliver a program of activities that can only be experienced by visitors to the state’s far south region.”
Project X is supported by the Australian government and the Tasmanian government through Tourism Tasmania, and Mona. Project X acknowledges the support of Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and Events Tasmania.
FIRST ART PROJECT ANNOUNCED
The first stage of Project X is titled Hrafn: Conversations with Odin, brought to us by English musician and sound recordist specialising in natural history Chris Watson (GBR), along with The Wired Lab, an artist-led organisation evolving interdisciplinary art practices in rural Australia.
Opening during Dark Mofo and continuing for three months, Hrafn (rhymes with laughin’) is a major multi-channel ambisonic sound installation presenting the remarkable phenomenon of 2,000 ravens gathering to roost in the high tree canopy overhead at dusk, an avian exchange of sound not usually witnessed by humans.
Just 90 minutes south of Hobart, the audience will be led on a short walk into the forest of Hastings Caves State Reserve, hearing from guides the natural history of ravens, their talismanic lore, plus the beginnings—and the future—of the forest they have entered.
Upon arriving at the artwork’s location, the audience will hear the 2,000 ravens drifting in at dusk—one by one, in pairs, then groups—it is time to be silent and listen deeply as the birds add their conversations to a cacophonous chorus.
Throughout history and across human cultures, the carrion bird has attained a mythic status as a psychopomp, bridging between the worlds of life and death. The Norse god Odin was pictured with the twin ravens roosting on his shoulders, that provided him vision, wisdom, and an insight to mortality.
“In the depths of the old growth forests of Southern Tasmania the audience will experience a unique gathering of ravens directly overhead as darkness falls,” artist Chris Watson said.
The Hrafn audience hear what Odin heard in the Halls of Valhalla.
PROJECT X
HRAFN: CONVERSATIONS WITH ODIN
CHRIS WATSON + THE WIRED LAB
Take a journey into the deep, dark wilds of the far south and follow your guide into the trees, where you’ll hear 2000 ravens coming in to roost—an avian exchange of sound not usually witnessed by humans. Project X opens in the Huon Valley during Dark Mofo and continues beyond the festival. Read more about it at project-x.net.au.
Supported by the Australian government and the Tasmanian government through Tourism Tasmania, and Mona. Project X acknowledges the support of Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and Events Tasmania.
WHEN
+ Wednesday 12–Sunday 16 June, 2.15pm–9.20pm
+ Wednesday 19–Sunday 23 June, 2.15pm–9.20pm
+ Continues after Dark Mofo (dates to be announced)
WHERE
Hastings Caves State Reserve, Southern Tasmania
Tickets $55 + booking fee (includes return bus trip)
Departs Brooke Street Pier (Hobart waterfront) at 2.15pm
Returns to Hobart via Geeveston for supper (not included in ticket)
Warning: Tasmanian weather is infamously unpredictable and you should dress appropriately for all conditions, including rain and freezing temperatures. Walking shoes are recommended. If you are sensitive to loud noise, you may find the artwork difficult to experience. Please note: Due to the nature and timing of the artwork, all visitors must travel to the Caves via the bus during Dark Mofo.
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