Giant red upside down crosses erected in Hobart as part of Dark Mofo have been lashed as "state-sanctioned blasphemy" by a Tasmanian church leader.
Several 20-metre high crosses were installed this week at the city's waterfront as part of the annual winter festival.
It has attracted the ire of several Christian groups including the state head of the Anglican church, but event organisers aren't perturbed.
The inverted Cross of Saint Peter can be seen as a satanic symbol.
"The cross of Jesus Christ is very special to all Christians. I understand why they would be confronted by this," Anglican Bishop Richard Condie said.
"I am left wondering if this kind of state-funded blasphemy would be tolerated if the symbols were Buddhist, Hindu or Islamic? I would hope not."
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) has called on the state government to pull funding for the event, saying the crosses continue the festival's "dark trajectory".
Dark Mofo created controversy last year by holding a bloody sacrificial ritual using a bull carcass.
"In the context of Dark Mofo's overall occultic themes, upside down crosses are clearly a public statement of anti-Christian values supported by funding from the government," ACL state director Mark Brown said.
"The state government should seriously reconsider its support and funding of Dark Mofo."
The state government contributes $2.1 million to Dark Mofo per year.
A spokesperson said the government supports Dark Mofo and curation decisions are a "matter for the organisers".
Dark Mofo is no normal festival, with participants seen during the Nude Solstice Swim, 2017 Source: AAP
Festival creative director Leigh Carmichael wouldn't take questions, but released a statement.
"The cross is a powerful and deeply significant historical symbol," she said in the statement.
"For many, this symbol evokes an emotional response for reasons that we don't fully understand.
"While we respect and understand different interpretations, we cannot be responsible for attitudes that people bring to the festival."
Smaller red crosses will be used throughout the city to guide people.
This year's Dark Mofo, which runs from June 8-24, has already drawn headlines over performance artist Mike Parr's plan to be buried in a container under a busy Hobart street for three days to acknowledge colonial violence against Tasmania's indigenous people.
