MONA: An Art Catacomb Carved into a Cliff

The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is located in Berriedale, north of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, at 655 Main Rd. Opened in January 2011, this unique private museum, one of the Southern Hemisphere's largest, was founded by professional gambler David Walsh, who invested approximately AUD 75 million. It stands within the Moorilla winery estate, dramatically carved into the sandstone bluffs of the Derwent River peninsula.

Walsh envisioned MONA as "a subversive adult Disneyland." Designed by Melbourne-based Fender Katsalidis, the architecture is integral: only a small entry pavilion is visible above ground, with the museum descending three levels underground into raw sandstone walls. This subterranean design creates an immersive, ancient atmosphere, challenging traditional museum spaces.

A Unique Curatorial Approach and Interactive Experience

MONA eschews traditional wall labels. Visitors receive "the O," a GPS-enabled iOS device delivering contextual information and commentary based on their location. This allows for personalized, self-directed exploration, encouraging direct engagement with art.

The collection is curated around universal themes like "life, death, sex, and identity," not chronology. This fosters new connections between diverse artworks, from ancient Egyptian artifacts to provocative contemporary installations. Walsh often places works spanning 5,000 years side-by-side, prompting reflections on timeless human questions.

Highlights of the Collection

• Wim Delvoye's 〈Cloaca Professional〉: A controversial machine simulating human digestion.
• Sidney Nolan's 〈Snake〉: A monumental mural of 1,620 panels by the Australian modernist master.
• James Turrell's 〈Event Horizon〉: Australia's largest permanent Turrell light installation.
• Julius Popp's 〈bit.fall〉: A kinetic installation displaying real-time news in falling water droplets.

Planning Your Visit

The MONA ROMA ferry from Brooke Street Pier in Hobart offers a scenic 25-minute journey, integral to the MONA experience. A standard visit lasts 3-4 hours, but visitors can spend a full day exploring the museum and its surrounding facilities, including The Source restaurant and Moorilla winery.

Admission for adults is A$39 (Tasmanian residents free). MONA operates Monday, Thursday-Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Check the official website for changes, especially during special events.