| Mona Foma | |
|---|---|
| Dates | February / March |
| Location(s) | Tasmania, Australia |
| Years active | 2008 - 2024 |
| Website | www.monafoma.net.au |
Mona Foma, stylised as MONA FOMA (an acronym for Museum of Old and New Art: Festival of Music and Art, often further shortened to MOFO)[1] was an annual music and arts festival held in Tasmania, Australia, curated by Violent Femmes member Brian Ritchie. It was billed as Tasmania's largest contemporary music festival[2] and showcased the work of artists in a broad range of art forms, including sound, noise, dance, theatre, visual art, performance and new media.
A wintertime version of the festival, Dark Mofo, is held annually in June. Its events are mainly shown at night-time. Mona Foma was established in 2008 by the Museum of Old & New Art, Ritchie and the Salamanca Arts Centre. The first festival was held the following year and headlined by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.[3] In 2010, Ritchie initiated EAR (Eminent Artist in Residence) program and John Cale became the festival's first EAR and the second festival headliner.
Other musical acts to appear at the festival have included Swans, PJ Harvey, Philip Glass, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Peaches, Gotye, Mike Patton and Laibach.
The event was held for the final time in 2024.[4]
References
- ^ "International Acts to Headline New Festival". Hobart: Arts Tasmania. 2009. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
- ^ MONA FOMA takes centre stage ABC News 7 January 2010
- ^ Organisers set on Mona Foma's return ABC News 12 January 2009
- ^ Mona Foma calls it quits, with founder David Walsh admitting spell has worn off ABC News 5 April 2024