A giant sculpture of one of Tasmania’s most endangered creatures will go up in flames tonight, as Dark Mofo’s signature ritual returns to Hobart with a fiery environmental message.
The Maugean skate-shaped ogoh-ogoh will be set alight at Dark Park, taking centre stage in the winter festival’s dramatic closing ceremony.
The burning draws attention to the dwindling species found only in Macquarie Harbour on the state’s West Coast.
The ritual begins at 6pm after a candlelit procession snaking from Parliament Lawns to Macquarie Point at 5pm, where thousands are expected to gather for what organisers promise will be “a communal ritual of smoke, fire and noise”.
The striking sculpture was created by Balinese artists Ida Bagus Oka, Ida Bagus Antara and Komang Sedana Putra.
This year’s version of the ancient Balinese purification ceremony has a uniquely Tasmanian twist, with the traditional demon-like figure replaced by the endangered ray.
Festival-goers have spent the week scribbling down their deepest fears and feeding them to the enormous fish-shaped sculpture.
Personal anxieties, political frustrations and existential dread will all go up in smoke alongside the artwork.
The event is free and open to all ages, though organisers warn it is expected to get crowded.
The ceremony marks the end of Dark Mofo’s main programme, with only the traditional Nude Solstice Swim remaining on June 21 to complete the festival calendar.
Festival figures released earlier this week show more than 210,000 people have already joined the Mofo celebrations.
