This was published 5 years ago
Mona Foma launches in Launceston with big sculpture in the Gorge
By Hannah Francis & Frances Vinall
Something unusual has appeared at the scenic Cataract Gorge in Launceston, Tasmania.
A 12 cubic metre illuminated sculpture of a man sitting cross-legged floats atop the water like a beacon.
Created by local artist Amanda Parer, the work, called Man, heralds the arrival of the first full Mona Foma music and arts festival in the city, previously held in Hobart for the past decade. Ms Parer was inspired by Auguste Rodin's famous sculpture The Thinker; only, with his hand over his eyes, this modern man is busy contemplating what went wrong.
Ms Parer's works have visited festivals all around the world including White Night Melbourne in 2017, where her huge inflatable rabbits glowed as they nibbled the lawns of Alexandra Gardens. This new work was commissioned especially for Mona Foma, and will be visible for the duration of the festival, which ends on January 20.
Also known as Mofo, the festival had its final Hobart outing last year after a decade in the southern capital. At the same time organisers tested the waters in Launceston with a handful of exclusive acts including Gotye and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
Launceston residents Ella Baker-Condon and Cameron Martin visited the Gorge to see the work on Sunday night. “It brings something different – and it makes the Gorge look really big,” Ms Baker-Condon said.
Another local, Greg Bradfield, said the installation was a sign Launceston was headed in the right direction. “It’s terrific, I love it,” he said.
“If we can get the mindset that yes, we are an arty community now, and all we have to do is open our mind up to it. What we’ve got is a balloon in the middle of the Gorge, and we’re all coming up to see it.”
Mr Bradfield was there watching as the sculpture was helicoptered in and installed. He went for a swim around the floating Man but, like dozens of people, came back for a few sunset photographs.
With Launceston Examiner