Dark Meowfo has caused controversy for the second year running with the planning for a giant “litter box” art installation, which has now been cancelled.
The popular Ten Lives midwinter festival was the subject of heated discussion in 2021 with the 140ft ‘inverted paw’, however this year’s major art piece had all of Hobart talking.
The piece comprised of a large sand landscape dotted with feature artworks of varying sizes and materials. Despite being advertised in the program, the installation was cancelled due to public complaints.
Dark Meowfo founder Noel Hunt defended the artwork, saying that cats had the right to express themselves.
“A cat’s got to do what a cat’s got to do – why not express that creatively?” He said.
Ten Lives Office Cat Donald, speaking through an interpreter, also justified the work.
“The installation was formed from a variety of cat artists who have brought something unique to the piece,” he said. “The cats have been meeting regularly for months to plan and bring their skills together to share with the broader community – it’s a real shame that it was removed before more people could see it.”
Local resident Ian, who asked for his last name to be withheld, was pleased that the artwork didn’t get off the ground.
“The whole thing stinks – literally and in terms of good taste,” he said.
Others disagreed, with protesters staging a “nap in” on the streets of Hobart to raise awareness of cat rights.
Donald denied that the litter box needed changing, but said that the cats would be looking at other ways to express themselves and were already making plans for the Festival next year.
“We’ll be back – bigger and better than ever,” he said.
Dark Meowfo continues at Ten Lives Cat Centre this weekend. Come and meet all the cat artists available for adoption.
Words: Andrea Marquardt
Images: Tamara Kelly
Warning: This article has not been fact checked.