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Dark Mofo - Dark Mofo began in 2013 and was created to be the winter version of the annual summer MONA FOMA (Museum of Old and New Art: Festival Of Music and Art).

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Winter solstice - Dark Mofo delves into the centuries-old rituals and mythologies of the winter solstice that signifies the reversal of the sun’s presence in the sky.

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Dark Mofo - Creative Director Leigh Carmichael spoke of the celebrations in the Dark Mofo program explaining how they bring together the old and the new through art, music, and culture.

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Links - Carmichael said, "We will celebrate links between ancient and contemporary mythology, humans and nature, religious and secular traditions, darkness and light, birth and death, fire, destruction and renewal."

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Light from darkness - He continued, "Most include deities of life-death-rebirth (representing both loss and hope) and metaphors for the return of light from darkness."

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Performances - Dark Mofo includes light displays, art performances, and music throughout each festival.

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Dark Park - Hobart and surrounding areas host the festivities, including MONA, Odeon Theatre, Federation Concert Hall, and a public art playground called Dark Park.

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Winter Feast - The annual City of Hobart's Dark Mofo Winter Feast is held on the waterside docks.

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Welcome - The feast hall welcomes over 40,000 people throughout the festival according to ABC.

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Nude Solstice - The annual Nude Solstice Swim involves hundreds of people plunging into the River Derwent at sunrise welcoming back the return of the light after the longest night.

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Ogoh-ogoh - There is also the annual ogoh-ogoh parade and burning on solstice night.

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Mass purification - According to Tasmanian Art Guide, "In Balinese Hinduism, ogoh-ogoh (demon-like sculptures) are crafted, carried, and cremated as a form of mass purification."

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The purging - Throughout the festival visitors are asked to write their deepest, darkest fears and secrets on the ogoh-ogohs.

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The burning - Then at the end of the festival, the ogoh-ogoh parade is held, through Dark Park where they go up in ceremonial smoke and flames.

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Controversial - Dark Mofo's art confronts, challenges and offends people year in, year out. Here are some examples of the most controversial pieces and performances from this annual winter solstice festival.

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Mike Parr - The latest controversy is Mike Parr's performance. He buried himself alive underneath Macquarie Street for 72 hours for the festival.

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Extreme - Although this is not as extreme as some of the 73-year-old's past art performances including sewing his lips shut and sticking thumb tacks into his legs, according to ABC.

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Inverted crosses - This year there was also a petition against the display of inverted crosses around Hobart's waterfront. The Australian Christian Lobby have said they find it "highly offensive", according to ABC.

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David Walsh - But MONA owner David Walsh said, "we are at the other side of the earth from Jerusalem, if you map them we are actually the same way up."

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Hermann Nitsch - Last year, artist Hermann Nitsch had a huge backlash for his performance '150 Action' -  a three-hour performance involving a slaughtered bull.

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Experienced - According to ABC, he said, "It will be intense ... I am sure it will be confronting, but I think it is something that will need to be experienced".

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Patricia Piccinini - Sculptor Patricia Piccinini created a hot air balloon that has an immense amount of shock value.

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'Skywhale' - 'Skywhale' had 16 hanging breasts and was a part of the 2016 Dark Mofo edition.

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'Fire Organ' - The 'Fire Organ' played by Dutch artist Bastiaan Maris created a visceral soundscape that was felt as well as heard and seen according to ABC.

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Seizures - During the 2013 Dark Mofo light installation 'Zee' led to seven people having seizures, even though they were thoroughly warned and signed paperwork to enter.

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Interactive - Dark Mofo also has fun, interactive art installations and performances that still explore new territory, with a less offensive facade.

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'Infinite Corpse' - Interactive art installation 'Infinite Corpse' gathered groups of three into different tents and create a head, torso and bottom-half of a monster, and then reveal the outcome.

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Red - Dark Mofo embraces the colour red throughout the festival and encourages punters to paint the town red.

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Join in - There is also food and beverage stalls and large crowds visiting to join in the festival.

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