Mona Foma has announced more artists who are joining its 2024 program in both nipaluna / Hobart and Launceston, cranking Tasmania’s summerfest of art and performance up a notch.
In Launceston, Deekor created by the ROOKE team is set to redefine the city’s night-time scene with an extraordinary blend of circus, theatre and dance taking place within the confines of Launnie’s Method Plus Action gymnasium, repurposed for the occasion. On Friday 1 and Saturday 2 March, from 9pm onwards, party-goers will plunge into an immersive after dark escapade across three levels of specialised training spaces, showcasing bespoke and curated performances inspired by gym culture, training and voyeurism.
This adults-only party will feature nudity, optional physical touch, sweating, loud music, bright lights, offensive language, tight fitting clothes, direct eye contact, jaw dropping skills and extreme ethereal beauty throughout the night. Later, the venue will seamlessly evolve into a pulsating late night club.
ROOKE is a contemporary circus company from northern lutruwita / Tasmania founded by five world class artists. Their cutting-edge circus work engages, inspires, and transports audiences, creating unforgettable, party-like experiences.
More music at Mona Foma
Robin Fox resurrects his Hyperbolic Psychedelic Mind Melting Tunnel of Light as part of Mona Sessions, following its incarnation in Launceston last year. Fox calls the work an ‘extreme time and space bending experience’ where participants—one at a time—take control of the installation’s light, sound and motion.
Mona Foma’s live music programming picks up the pace with a multitude of extra performances taking place in and around the museum including: Music in Exile—a not-for-profit record label showcasing artists from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; South Weight Hi-Fi Sound System curated by Moses Iten will feature a rotating cast of local DJs; Salty Sessions put together by Ben Salter and the Mona Foma team will feature an array of local artists with the odd mainlander joining in; and festival-goers can expect Skeleton Crew to be haunting docks, ferry piers and long staircases—bringing an air of mystery to the festival.
Throughout the festival, various performers will be dipping into Mona’s recording studio, Frying Pan, to jam, record, and bring their creativity to the purpose-built space. Through a viewing window in the library, visitors to the museum might catch a glimpse of the following artists in action—Courtney Barnett, Kutcha Edwards and The Australian Art Orchestra, Darren Hanlon, FFLORA X Grace Chia, Little Ugly Girls, Ajak Kwai, Sui Zhen, Jarabi Band, Mulga Bore Hard Rock plus more.
Elsewhere in the museum, Australian musician Danny Healy will craft brand new jazz compositions by hand. Audiences will witness his creative process as he pens at least two new pieces daily, an experience which will unfold on a screen. Danny and his friends will perform these freshly minted compositions live, plus solo variations and instrumentations on a variety of woodwinds in the Nolan Gallery and Ladies Lounge.
More art at Mona Foma
As part of Mona Foma’s Shruti Sessions, a free solo exhibition by Goan artist TextaQueen, Bollywouldn’t combines portraiture, photography and murals. The work digitally maps vibrant portraits of queer South Asian folk onto monumental colonial structures, reclaiming power and space. The exhibition will run throughout the festival at Mona Foma’s Indian music and art hub Moonah Arts Centre.
Mona Foma is in nipaluna / Hobart from 15–25 February and in Launceston from 1– 2 March 2024.
Mona Foma tickets are available at www.monafoma.net.au
