Eat the Problem exhibition opens tomorrow amid feral animal menu controversy

MONA’S new exhibition features the world’s largest glockenspiel doubling as a table at a controversial feral animal-based menu, which has divided animal conservationists.

Kirsha Kaechele at the Feasting Table, part of Mona’s new exhibition Eat the Problem opening to the public on Saturday. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

MONA’S new exhibition features the world’s largest glockenspiel doubling as a table serving a controversial feral animal-based menu, which has divided animal conservationists.

Mona’s Eat the Problem exhibition is the brain child of American artist and the colloquially dubbed ‘Mona first-lady,’ Kirsha Kaechele, who said the installation “brings to life the practice of transforming sh.t into gold”.

A step inside Mona’s latest exhibition might seem like a walk onto a set from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Alice in Wonderland.

American artist Elena Stonaker with her work In Snakes Belly which forms part of the new Mona exhibition Eat the Problem. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Its giant rainbow glockenspiel and colourful soft toy-style garden sets the scene for the installation’s goal of turning flaw into feature using invasive species — including humans — in food or art.

Headlined on the menu, to be served at grand degustation events and weekly Sunday lunches, will see guests served up plates of camel, cat, deer, cane toad, rabbit, and horse tartare among other items.

“It raises questions, what’s more ethical, to raise an animal in a cage and let it suffer a lifetime or to harvest from the wild an animal that’s causing a lot of problems for the environment,” Kaechele said.

Five feral Tasmanian cats were shot to be plated up for Mona’s latest eyebrow-raising cuisine, a year after Mona served up cocktails with pigs eyeballs.

Pheasant with onion cream, wild fennel and pollen by David Moyle from Eat the Problem by Kirsha Kaechele. Photo: REMI CHAUVIN

Mona executive chef Vince Trim wouldn’t divulge how cat tasted and said it was up to any intrigued individual to taste it for themselves.

“We would like to pose the question, if they are being killed anyway, can you use them as a resource,” he said.

“We’ve had the feral cat meat tested by the health department where it was tested like any other meat sample and it’s come back clear.”

Animal Liberation Tasmania spokeswoman Kristy Alger said Mona could serve anything up on a plate and people would go to buy it.

“Mona frequently uses bodies to court controversy,” she said.

“They seem to have this controversial business model that likes to keep pushing the boundaries and I’m not sure how long that can last.”

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Ms Alger said she would be baffled if meat-eating community members were outraged at the concept of cat killings.

“What’s the difference between eating a cat and cow?,” she said.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary owner Greg Irons said “if people were to eat animals then eating pest species would be the best thing to eat”.

“If we’re looking at sustainability then sheep and cattle do the most damage to the land,” he said.

“It takes about 23,000L poured into the feeding of a cow for it to translate to just 1kg of meat and people like to complain about leaving the sink running while brushing their teeth.”

“I don’t have a problem with Mona’s newest menu. But there are sustainable ways to be killing feral animals. What we don’t want is yahoos out there shooting to kill as a sport.”

Eat The Problem - sweet and sour cane toad legs by David McMahon.

The Eat the Problem exhibition coincides with the launch of Ms Kaechele’s cookbook with the same title.

Ms Kaechele will be signing copies between 11am and 1pm at Mona tomorrow.