Mona reopens but not as you know it
The reopening of Mona will bring with it a new focus, founder David Walsh says, as hundreds flocked to the site on Saturday morning for the reopening. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MONA’S RETURN >>
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THE reopening of Mona will bring with it a new focus on localism, founder David Walsh says, as hundreds flocked to the site to see the changes made during the museum’s nine-month closure.
There was a buzz at Mona on Saturday morning when the first ferry docked at the site, bringing with it dozens of passengers eager to explore the museum.
Unveiled for the first time is the House of Mirrors — the world’s largest mirror maze created by Australian artists Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney.
Positioned next to Mona’s outdoor stage is also a giant bronze sculpture by American artist Tom Otterness.
The seven-metre-tall structure, which features two figures with slides for limbs, doubles as a children’s playground.
Visiting the museum for the first time was Sydney pair Erica Ford and Sean Jacobson, who said they were pleased Mona reopened before their return flight home.
“We booked the trip a while ago and left Sydney just before the lockdown. We were keeping our fingers crossed that it was going to reopen while we were here and we booked tickets as soon as the opening was announced,” Ms Ford said.
Mr Walsh said it was pleasing to see visitors return to the site, which he said had felt like an estate over the past nine months.
“But I’m sick of it being an estate, it needs to be public property again,” he said.
“One of the things we’re thinking about is, Mona had a global aspect to it but now we’re thinking about communities. So we’re looking inward and this is what we see.
“COVID refocuses on localism.”
Mona’s reopening also unveils a major revamp of its semisubterranean galleries, with more than 350 highlights from Mr Walsh’s personal collection on display.
Mona director of exhibitions Nicole Durling said the gallery spaces had been transformed to showcase Mr Walsh’s art that has never before been shown at the museum.
“It’s like a portrait of David,” she said.
‘We have taken the opportunity across the past nine months to think about what makes Mona unique, and simply it’s David Walsh’s home.
“This is what we have focused on for the rehang of the museum. All of David’s interests are gathered together, and in a way it reveals his identity.”
Mona is open for four days a week — from Fridays to Mondays, 10am-6pm.
All visitors must have a pre-booked ticket.
Visitors are required to download Mona’s app (The O), which will become their digital guide to the museum and grounds — and bring headphones to access additional audio content. The O, developed by Art Processors, is now available on iOS and Android.
EARLIER:
After closing mid-March amid coronavirus concerns, Tasmania’s world-renowned Museum of Old and New Art reopens today.
While business and the broader public made dramatic changes to day-to-day life as they were thrust into a global pandemic and its associated restrictions – those at the helm of Mona took note.
For Co-CEO Mark Wilsdon the pandemic was an “opportunity to step back, and assess the way you work”.
“It makes you focus on an efficiency and a courtesy around how you engage and make the space available for people,” he said.
“We’ve probably all found during this period that, on the whole, people are a lot more courteous in public and a lot more aware of the people around them in their day to day activities, and we have taken that on board.”
For Mona and its 400-strong cohort of staff, artists and musicians, it has been a nine-month-long chance make improvements and to learn more about themselves.
“A lot of really positive energy has returned to the site,” Mr Wilsdon told The Mercury in the final days of preparation before the grand reopening.
“We’ve been quite busy leading up to it … There has been a lot of activity throughout the closure, and especially coming to the pointy end now.
“We also taken the opportunity to do some improvements and get some work done that we hadn’t had the chance to because we were only really closed for one day at a time (Pre-pandemic).
“The install of the new exhibition has been several months in the making and the team in there has been working really hard with that.”
Mona’s people and culture team even ran a peer-to-peer sessions once a week where one team member gave an hour-long presentation on subjects that they are specialist in.
While not entirely open to the public, there was enough that needed doing to keep staff and artists busy while they awaited the eventual reopening.
“We’ve had essential maintenance running all year, keeping the place ticking over and our grounds and landscaping crew keeping on top of the gardens,” Mr Wilsdon said.
Hospitality staff, musicians and artists were also put to work in the Faro bar and restaurant which has been operational since August and according to Co-CEO, will continue in the current format moving forward.
While Tasmanians have enjoyed a come-and-go-as-you-please policy for the entirety of its almost 10 year existence; Come Boxing Day there will be changes with locals needing to book and pay a deposit for a ticket – which is refunded after the visit.
“The reason for that is quite simply; we don’t want people registering if it’s free and then not turning up and then other people missing out. We need people to commit,” Mr Wilsdon said.
“We’re all doing things now that we haven’t had to do before – like registering whenever we go out for dinner or travelling – it’s the new normal for the time being.
“Take the time to go through that process – we need to know whose there and how long they’re there for.”
Mr Wilsdon said those Tasmanians who frequented the grounds before the closure, there will be a mix of familiarity and new experiences.
And if you’ve never been, here is Mona’s self-prescribed definition.
Mona: a museum, or something. In Tasmania, or somewhere. Catch the ferry. Drink beer. Eat cheese. Talk crap about art. You’ll love it.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
It’s back open again after nine month hiatus and in that time, it appears the team at Mona have been busy.
While some parts of the iconic museum and grounds will remain the same, Mona assures others will be vastly different.
Here’s what you can expect at a post-pandemic Mona from today onwards.
TICKETING:
All visitors must have a pre-booked ticket. Mona offers site-only or full museum entry tickets. Although entry remains free for locals, all Tasmanians are required to pay a deposit, which can be refunded following a visit.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit: mona.net.au
THE O:
‘The O’ app is Mona’s one-stop guide to the grounds and installations.
Visitors will need to download Mona’s app (The O), a digital guide to the museum and grounds — and will need to bring headphones to access additional audio content.
GETTING THERE:
Mona is eleven Kilometres north of Hobart. Parking is free at Mona but sparse. A pre-booked $15 high-speed ferry ticket from Brook Street Pier is the recommended way of getting there.
The $15 tickets will remain until the end of January.
WHAT’S NEW:
‘Girls Rule’ – A giant sculpture by American artist Tom Otterness will double as a children’s playground outside. The bronze sculpture features two figures with slides for limbs and stands seven metres tall.
‘Dubsy’s’ – A brand new outdoors will serve burgers nearby on the lawns and will host to live music every operating day selected by Mona music curator Brian Ritchie and his team.
Inside – Tasmanian musician Ben Salter will be in residence each day writing, and occasionally performing songs, in a gallery designed to feel like an “art-filled lounge room” while another new area will offer pizzas and cocktails.
And of course it’s Mona, so expect the unexpected.
EAT AND DRINK:
Faro Bar + Restaurant (Bookings essential)
A light-drenched space suspended over the River Derwent, located inside the gallery itself. Open for Lunch and dinner.
The Source Restaurant (Bookings essential)
The Moorilla Wine Bar
ART REQUIRING AN ADDITIONAL TICKET:
‘The Divine Comedy’ – A plunge into purgatory, heaven and hell, courtesy of Alfredo Jaar
‘House of Mirrors’ – Tickets are $10 and children under 12 enter free.
REMEMBER:
Mona – including bars, restaurants, and ticketed artworks – is cashless so take your card or phone.
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