“We Made A Mistake:” Dark Mofo Cancel Art Project Asking For First Nations People’s Blood

Following days of ongoing criticism Hobart festival Dark Mofo has officially cancelled a planned art project for this year’s festival which called for First Nations people to donate their blood.

The project by Spanish artist Santiago Sierra was titled Union Flag and would have, theoretically, involved First Nations people providing their blood to ensure that the Union Jack is “immersed in the blood of its colonised territories”.

The announcement of the project was widely slammed, with many pointing out the project’s insensitivity as well as the imperialistic reality of a non-First Nations profiting from the literal blood of First Nations people. As Yorta Yorta rapper Briggs commented, “We already gave enough blood.”

After yesterday defending the festival’s decision to run with the project despite an outpouring of criticism, today Dark Mofo creator Leigh Carmichael has backtracked and says the project will no longer go ahead.

“We’ve heard the community’s response to Santiago Sierra’s Union Flag. In the end the hurt that will be caused by proceeding isn’t worth it,” reads a statement.

“We made a mistake, and take full responsibility. The project will be cancelled. We apologise to all First Nations people for any hurt that has been caused. We are sorry.”

Last month, organisers revealed that Dark Mofo would return in June of this year, after being cancelled in 2020. A lineup set to be announced next month.