dark mofo 2019

mass public ritual
Dark Mofo, nipaluna/Hobart
Firecracker Willow
Fire Artist: Alex Podger

ogoh ogoh burning

Fears are written and purged, fed to the Ogoh Ogoh - a demon effigy derived from a Balinese Hindu community purification ritual and crafted by Balinese artists. On the final day, it is dragged through the streets and hoisted onto the pyre; a giant weeping willow , with two hundred thousand firecracker leaves. 
 

Willows have ancient roots in mourning and death. Firecrackers were the first fireworks created - their purpose to scare away demons - and each explosion represents a species going extinct in the last two years, visualised as an explosion instead of silence. 

The flames burn our fears, on the shortest day of the year.  
 

dark mofo 2018

fire installation + public ritual
Dark Mofo, nipaluna/Hobart
Sun Cross + Fire Web
Fire Artist: Alex Podger

the winter fires + ogoh ogoh burning

"These fires were burning all over the countryside, and each of them, even the most humble, had to be fed. The fire of the poet, of the teacher, of the carpenter. But among those living fires, how many closed windows there were, how many dead stars, fires that gave off no light for lack of nourishment" - Antoine De Saint Exupery

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One thousand fire tins arranged as a sun cross, one entrance with three exits, a moment of reflection as 

bleach festival 2019

opera
goo-een/Gold Coast

Site Designer + Pyro Artist: Alex Podger

verdi: requiem

Flames leap from the wings in the Dies Irae, as we journey through anger and hurt to freedom. Two thousand red prayer candles light the orchestra, giant rusted candelabras burn with bright flames and firework stars burst in the sky above us.