Well, that’s what we had been told, over and over again when people knew we were coming to Tasmania. Even before they knew we were coming to Hobart.

Of course I’d heard about Mona. And, I had also read about Mona on a friend’s blog with links to his posts here and here.

David writes beautifully; with such deep reflection about keen observation, making links between what he is describing and what he has seen before. He also can bring seemingly complex ‘things’ into sensible and tangible objects.

My writing is not in his league!! So – please check out his posts.

I’m going out on a limb here.

Mona was not my ‘cup of tea’. Having said that – there was a lot about it that impressed me.

MONA stands for the Museum of Modern and New Art, and it is a privately funded museum. It has been described as an adult Disneyland, because the themes of many of the artworks are linked to sex and death.

I decided to drive us to Mona as opposed to catching the ferry. Mick was really keen to get the ferry, but when we found out there were 99 steps to climb and then descend when we were ready to leave, I over ruled his decision.

I’m sure the view from the ferry stop would be more impressive than this view, but there was already so much to see when we got to where we thought the entrance was.

Once inside we caught the elevator to Basement Level 3.

There are three floors of art spaces below the ground and there are no signs. You navigate your way around the museum by following your nose or by using the specifically designed app on your phone. And, we managed okay. Getting lost once, but helped by friendly staff members who told us that was to be expected.

This was my favourite ‘installation’. It was a fountain of water dropping from overhead, and with the use of lights, the droplets were manufactured to spell out words – one at a time. This one says “slapping”, and it was part of a phrase relating the tale of Will Smith’s extremely bad behaviour at the recent Academy Awards.

I’m sure we were lucky to be there today, quite early, as the crowds had not yet arrived, and we had loads of space to enjoy the displays. This one had a moving motor doing ‘something’, and even I thought it was pretty amazing.

Anyone who has been to Mona will tell you about this wall of vaginas -76 in total. What we found funny was when another very helpful staff member was directing us to the toilets, she told us to walk past the Vagina Wall and keep going until we saw the piano.

Lack of signage means you have to rely on obvious artworks.

The museum was built initially to house the collection of artworks owned by millionaire David Walsh. He lets Tasmanians visit for free – which is very generous of him because the buildings, not considering the artworks’ value, would have cost millions of dollars.

Then you stubble across a quirky corner of period furniture that you can sit on if you wish. Unsure if we could have bought any cigarettes – we’ve both given up!

This next construction was pretty incredible. Mick was fascinated by it.

As we walked away, back towards the carpark, Mick discovered a new art installation under construction.

One of the many free-ranging chickens from the onsite vineyard was designing ‘something’ inside the boundary of the tree guard. She wasn’t too put off my Mick watching her either.

Now to my final conclusion.

And, I’m just going to say it.

I reckon that the D’Arenberg Cube in the McLaren Vale, which we visited less than 12 months ago, is a copycat attempt by Chester Osborne – the fourth generation winemaker from the D’Arenberg winery.

Now, this is my opinion only, but the reasons for saying this are as follows.

Both buildings (Mona and The Cube) contain art collections and restaurants. Both are built within and as part of a winery. Both contain some artwork of questionable taste. And finally, both were not really to my taste.