02 · GALLERY
Five frames.
Dark Mofo runs every June, the southern hemisphere's midwinter, on the MONA museum's subterranean Berriedale campus on the Derwent estuary. David Walsh's museum is cut three storeys down into a sandstone cliff. The tank gallery, the lowest level, hosts the festival's most ritualised programming: Ryoji Ikeda commissions, William Basinski residencies, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra performing in candlelight. The Nude Solstice Swim at sunrise on 21 June, 2,000 swimmers in red caps entering the Derwent at 8°C, is the festival's de facto closing number. The season and the room are the programme.
The Nude Solstice Swim at sunrise on 21 June is the festival's closing ritual. 2,000 swimmers, red caps, 8°C water.
The room (a cliff cut by hand) and the season (winter solstice) are the programme.
Annual, two weeks centred on the winter solstice (21 June). The first week is the build, the second week is the headline programming. The Solstice Swim is the closing event.
Annual two-week festival, mid-June to early July. MONA museum itself open daily 10:00 to 17:00 year-round (closed Tuesdays in low season). Dark Mofo programming nightly during the festival.
Fly Hobart (HBA), then MONA ROMA ferry from Brooke Street Pier to the museum (25 minutes by boat across the Derwent). The boat is part of the visit. Alternatively bus 520 from central Hobart, 30 minutes.