MONA

July 15, 2023
Arnold Duff
Uncategorized

About MONA

If you’re not a fan of traditional museums, MONA could be just the experience you’re looking for. David Walsh’s brainchild is an adult playground, with a vast collection of art that is often surprising, shocking, and even controversial. MONA is a place where visitors can explore three levels of subterranean architecture and immerse themselves in unique exhibits that challenge norms and push boundaries. It’s not every day that you get to see a wall of plaster casts of vaginas or a mechanical sculpture of Jesus that pees wine, but you’ll find those and much more at MONA. Whether you appreciate the art or not, one thing is for sure: you’re guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.

Located on a vast 3.5 ha site, the MONA estate is a haven for lovers of good food, fine wine, and all things culture. Housing an array of venues, the estate includes the chic Source restaurant, a beautiful function centre, the luxurious Moorilla winery and vineyard, a cosy cellar door, a wine bar, a cinema, and a library, as well as serene accommodation pavilions. That’s not all – when it comes to entertainment, MONA takes it one step further with their two major annual festivals – the MOFO festival and Dark Mofo festival. Each festival features an abundance of live performances, public art displays, and of course, plenty of mouth-watering food and drink. Make your way to MONA, and you’ll enter a world of beauty, art, and creativity.

What to do at MONA

MONA, an acronym for the famous Museum of Old and New Art, is in the beautiful city of Hobart, Australia. Housing a whopping 1900 pieces and counting, the museum is a melting pot of celebrated artworks and newly installed pieces that are continually changing and evolving, ensuring that every visit is a unique experience. Notably, the museum was constructed to display Sidney Nolan’s Snake, the giant Rainbow Serpent mural consisting of 1,620 paintings, and features exhibits dedicated to sex and death, which can both awe and shock visitors with their in-your-face nature. For instance, the museum’s acclaimed exhibit, The Great Wall of Vagina, is home to 151 porcelain vulvas sculpted from real women, a piece that is both captivating and provocative. In contrast, the museum also houses antiquated works such as Egyptian mummies and the famous “poo machine,” Cloaca Professional by Wim Delvoye, that turns food into excrement. Curated by Nicole Durling, Olivier Varenne, and Jarrod Rawlins, MONA is an astonishing museum that will provide you with an unforgettable experience.

If you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable museum experience, visiting Mona is a must. Located at 655 Main Road, Berriedale, this world-renowned establishment is just a 15-minute drive from Hobart. But for those who rent to make a grand entrance – or exit, as it were – there’s the option of taking a high-speed ferry up the Derwent River straight to the museum’s doorstep. And with the bonus of a 30-minute ride through breathtaking scenery, the journey alone is worth the trip. But what sets Mona apart is their “Eternity Membership” program, which offers lifetime free admission and the unique opportunity to have one’s remains housed in the Mona Cemetery. It’s certainly not your average museum experience, but for those with a taste for the unusual, it’s a rare chance to be part of something truly extraordinary.