TAC split on Mofo’s sub-Parr project

TASMANIA’S Aboriginal community supports the message performance artist Mike Parr is trying to send with his upcoming Dark Mofo project, but not everyone is convinced he’s the right person to send it.

Parr will spend three days buried in a 4.5m x 1.7m x 2.2m container just under the surface of Macquarie St — one of Hobart’s busiest thoroughfares — as traffic continues as normal above him. Underneath The Bitumen The Artist is Parr’s response to two events that have helped shape Tasmania’s history: the transportation of 75,000 British and Irish convicts in the first half of the 19th century; and the subsequent violence against the state’s Aboriginal population.

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre chief executive Heather Sculthorpe said this week Parr’s project is “insulting” to members of the Aboriginal community and that if Dark Mofo “have any interest in telling the Aboriginal story … some old fella under a road is not the way to do it”.

However, yesterday TAC spokesman Michael Mansell said the Aboriginal people of Tasmania were right behind Parr for making the point “that Tasmania’s historical treatment of Aboriginal people [has] been hidden — buried, as it were — for far too long”.

“Mr Parr’s unusual method of making the point might raise eyebrows, but more importantly he might raise Tasmania’s awareness of the mass killings of Aboriginals,” Mr Mansell said.

“Instead of Tasmania putting its head in the sand, it needs to openly talk about the past and how it affects people today. Mr Parr is making his contribution.”

Ms Sculthorpe has questioned whether Parr should be commenting on Aboriginal stories.

“The points [Mr Mansell] made in his letter are spot on — those [historical events] are the sorts of things that people need to know about. Whether some old bloke putting himself under a road is the best way to do it, is where we disagree.

“I think — and according to Facebook, a lot of people agree with me — that Aboriginal people can tell their stories better than somebody under a road … and I think Michael proved that through his letter.”

Hobart Lord Mayor Ron Christie yesterday also questioned whether Tasmania’s indigenous community was consulted about the idea.

“Now, I am not questioning the artist’s work or integrity as a silent commentary on 19th century colonial violence against indigenous people and convicts. God forbid, not during Reconciliation Week, but I do wonder if our indigenous community was consulted about the idea,” he said

Creative director Leigh Carmichael said Dark Mofo “understands and respects” Ms Sculthorpe’s concerns, but “it’s important that discussions around our shared history continue to take place, no matter how difficult or uncomfortable.”