What is MONA in Hobart?
MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art, is a private art museum near Hobart, Tasmania. Opened in 2011 by gambler and collector David Walsh, it is known for provocative art.
The museum is built into the sandstone cliffs of the Berriedale peninsula, on the River Derwent, about 12 kilometres north of central Hobart. Much of its space is underground.
Its collection ranges from ancient Egyptian objects to contemporary art. Famous works include Wim Delvoye's Cloaca, a machine that imitates the human digestive system.
Festivals and impact
MONA runs festivals such as Dark Mofo in winter. These events transformed Hobart's tourism.
Visitors often arrive by ferry from the city. The site includes a winery and pavilions.
Walsh has described MONA as a subversive adult Disneyland, and its playful, sometimes shocking displays divide opinion.
Dark Mofo, held around the winter solstice in June, features large outdoor artworks, music, a winter feast and a nude solstice swim in the River Derwent. MONA FOMA, a summer festival of music and art, began in 2009, before the museum itself opened. Inside the museum, visitors use a device called the O to read about the art instead of wall labels, and the dim, underground galleries create a mysterious atmosphere. Entry for Tasmanians is free.
Did You Know?
David Walsh made his fortune using mathematical systems to bet on horse racing and other games.