Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)

Property of the Australian, art collector and philanthropist David Walsh, who is also a casino owner and winemaker, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) was inaugurated last month in Berriedale, Hobart, Tasmania's capital.

With a cost of near USD $75M and design by the architect Nonda Katsalidis, the museum goes three stores into the underground and occupies 9500 sqm, including 1300 sqm reserved for touring exhibitions.

The museum's art collection is valued in more than $100 million and displays a contiguity of ancient and contemporary works totalizing near 1500 objects. In its collection as included pieces such as a Roman mosaics, Egyptian mummies and Sidney Nolan's 1,620-frame work Snake (46m long and 9m high). The public will also have the chance to see for the first time in Australia the works by the acclaimed Young British Artists group included in Sir Charles Saatchi's Sensation exhibition, which was cancelled by the National Gallery of Australia in 1999.

MONA's objects are not labelled, instead a device named "The O" will be provided to visitors permiting them to read about the art on display and listen to interviews with artists.
The O Tour can be saved and later retrieved at MONA's website.

The facilities include eight accommodation pavilions with works of art and wireless touch panels that allow to control several functions, a library, a restaurant named The Source, as well as other venues.

Getting to the museum can be made by Ferry, Bike (available for hiring) and other public transports. There is a parking lot but the space is scarce.

The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is open from Wednesday to Monday. Ticket prices vary.