Museum Of Old And New Art Review

Okay, so I finally did it. I braved the Museum of Old and New Art, or MONA, as everyone calls it. You know, the one down in Hobart that’s all over Instagram. I went with a friend, and we had a plan. Mostly, the plan was to try and look like we knew what we were looking at.

Let’s be real, going to a fancy art museum can feel a bit like being the new kid at school. You’re scanning faces, trying to decipher the social cues, and hoping you don’t accidentally say something completely daft. MONA, though, has this reputation for being… different. And let me tell you, it’s not just a reputation. It’s more like a giant, glorious middle finger to the traditional art museum experience.

First off, getting there is an adventure. You take a ferry. A fancy ferry. It’s got a sleek design, and you can even get a coffee. Already, it feels less like a chore and more like a mini-holiday. As we pulled into the harbour, I could already feel the anticipation building. Was it going to be full of stuff that made me scratch my head and whisper, “Interesting…” in a tone that suggested I was deeply moved, when really I was just wondering if I left the oven on?

Inside, it’s dark. Like, really dark. And sort of… underground? It’s a bit disorienting at first, but then you get used to it. It’s like entering a cool, mysterious cave. The exhibits are spread out, and there’s no one telling you, “And this, ladies and gentlemen, is a very important painting of a fruit bowl.” Thank goodness.

One of the first things that struck me was the sheer variety. They’ve got ancient Egyptian mummies right next to… well, art that makes you question reality. I saw a piece that was literally a pile of poo. Yes, you read that right. Human poo. Artfully arranged. My friend and I exchanged a look. It was the universal “Are we seeing this?” look. We both just nodded. What else could you do?

Then there was the whole section with machines that make poo. Seriously. The Cloaca Museum. It’s a whole thing. It takes food and processes it, and at the end of the day, you get… you know. It’s art that’s both fascinating and utterly bizarre. I found myself staring at it for an embarrassingly long time, a mix of awe and mild disgust churning within me. Is this what they mean by “challenging”? If so, I’m being challenged.

There was also a room dedicated to Barbie dolls. Not in a cute, nostalgic way, but in a… slightly unsettling, deconstructed way. It made me rethink my childhood relationship with plastic fashion dolls. Were they really that innocent? MONA seems to say, “Maybe not.” It’s like they take something familiar and twist it, making you see it from a completely new angle. Or maybe just a slightly queasy angle.

And the names of the pieces! They’re often as quirky as the art itself. I remember seeing something that was just a collection of air conditioners, all humming away. The label was something like, “The Sound of Silence, Amplified.” I stood there for a minute, listening to the hum, and honestly? It did sound kind of profound. Or maybe I was just tired from all the intense art-gazing.

What I appreciated most about MONA is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. You’re not expected to have a PhD in art history to enjoy it. You can laugh. You can be confused. You can even feel a little bit grossed out. And that’s okay. They’ve got this app that talks you through the exhibits, but it’s not like a stuffy tour guide. It’s witty, and sometimes a bit cheeky. It feels like a friend is whispering hilarious commentary in your ear.

There’s a piece called ‘Untitled’ by Barry Humpreys, and it’s just… a lot. It’s a lot of things. It’s a lot of opinions. It’s a lot of… well, you have to see it. I walked out of that room feeling like I’d been through an emotional rollercoaster, and I wasn’t entirely sure if it was the good kind or the slightly terrifying kind.

By the end of our visit, my friend and I were both a bit dazed. We’d seen a lot. We’d thought a lot. And we’d probably laughed more than we expected to in an art museum. MONA isn’t about pretty landscapes or stoic portraits. It’s about pushing boundaries, sparking conversations, and sometimes, just making you go, “Wow, okay, that’s a thing.”

So, if you’re looking for an art experience that’s a little bit weird, a little bit wonderful, and a whole lot of fun, then MONA is definitely worth the trip. Just don’t expect to leave with all the answers. Or with your sanity completely intact. But hey, that’s probably a good thing.