Curator puts faith in forests

DARK Mofo curator Jarrod Rawlins says the event hasn’t targeted any religion in its 2019 “forest” theme, despite a number of festival exhibits drawing biblical parallels.

The winter festival drew criticism in recent years with claims of disrespecting Christianity through a number of exhibitions, including the three-day burial of a man underground last year and the sacrificial killing of a bull the year before.

Last year inverted crosses were erected around Hobart’s waterfront and this year the crosses returned, standing upright.

The Australian Christian Lobby hit out at the winter festival for its use of crosses saying it promoted “pagan practices and demonic activities”.

But Citywide Baptist Church Pastor Matt Garvin said Christian references within Dark Mofo’s marketing also created a positive narrative. “I am pleased that the cross is the centre of dialogue, pleased it’s the right way up and pleased it’s propelling people to talk about it,” he said.

He said he thought the festival appeared to have lessened its religious connotations this year but some initiatives, such as handing out 666 free beers at the Hanging Garden opening on Wednesday night, were “concerning”.

Earlier this week C3 Church Hobart senior pastor Shaun White delivered a “Why I’m Pentecostal” presentation at the Odeon Theatre which Pastor Garvin said was a positive sign of Christians being proactive rather than reactive.

Mr Rawlins denied the festival targeted religion for marketing purposes.

“Honestly, it’s all about strong themes and good content for us — that’s the real key message,” he said.

“We let the work, the artist and the themes that come out of that create the successes, the controversies, whatever they may be.”

Mr Rawlins said this year’s festival, which celebrates a “forest” theme, was tracking well since kicking off on Thursday.

“This is the first festival for me where I feel like it’s just running seamlessly,” he said.

“We’ve really been looking at forest as a theme which visitors will see throughout the event.”