Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) has announced plans to open a new museum in Bangkok, Thailand. MONA signed an agreement with Thai real estate company Asset World Corp to build on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The new museum will be created by MONA's subsidiary DarkLab, led by chief executive Leigh Carmichael. It aims to bring MONA's unconventional spirit to Thailand while creating opportunities for dialogue with Thai artists and audiences.
π The Backstory
MONA opened in 2011 thanks to billionaire entrepreneur David Walsh, who built it on bushland overlooking Hobart's River Derwent. The museum quickly became famous for its provocative installations, including the famous wall of vulvas. MONA also runs Hobart's mid-winter Dark Mofo festival, which features the annual nude solstice swim. This is not the museum's first controversy - it recently dealt with the 'Ladies Lounge' saga involving fake artwork and discrimination claims. The Bangkok expansion would be MONA's first international branch.
π― Why It Matters
MONA put Hobart on the global art map and brought millions of visitors to Tasmania. If the Bangkok museum succeeds, it could boost Tasmania's cultural reputation and trade ties with Thailand.
Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) has announced plans to open a new museum in Bangkok, Thailand. MONA signed an agreement with Thai real estate company Asset World Corp to build on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The new museum will be created by MONA's subsidiary DarkLab, led by chief executive Leigh Carmichael. It aims to bring MONA's unconventional spirit to Thailand while creating opportunities for dialogue with Thai artists and audiences.
MONA opened in 2011 thanks to billionaire entrepreneur David Walsh, who built it on bushland overlooking Hobart's River Derwent. The museum quickly became famous for its provocative installations, including the famous wall of vulvas. MONA also runs Hobart's mid-winter Dark Mofo festival, which features the annual nude solstice swim. This is not the museum's first controversy - it recently dealt with the 'Ladies Lounge' saga involving fake artwork and discrimination claims. The Bangkok expansion would be MONA's first international branch.
MONA put Hobart on the global art map and brought millions of visitors to Tasmania. If the Bangkok museum succeeds, it could boost Tasmania's cultural reputation and trade ties with Thailand.