The Controversial “Ladies Lounge” Art Exhibit at Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA): A Discriminatory Space or a Necessary Haven for Women?
Introduction:
A significant controversy has arisen at Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) following a recent ruling by the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The museum, which houses an art exhibition known as “Ladies Lounge,” has been ordered to allow men into the exhibit within 28 days due to its discriminatory nature. Originally conceived as a space exclusively for women, this experiential art installation has become a subject of debate surrounding gender equality, historical injustices, and artistic freedom.
Background:
The Ladies Lounge is an artwork created by artist and museum curator Kirsha Kaechele. According to MONA’s Website, the exhibit is described as “a tremendously lavish space” where women can indulge in decadent nibbles, fancy tipples, and other ladylike pleasures – all hosted and entertained by the fabulous butler. Visitors must pay a $35 AUD entry fee to access the space, yet men have been barred from entering due to its women-only policy.
Discrimination Allegations:
Jason Lau, a visitor from New South Wales, filed a complaint with Equal Opportunities Tasmania after being denied entry to the Ladies Lounge on April 1, 2021. In tribunal documents, Lau claimed he experienced direct gender discrimination and felt strongly enough about the situation to pursue legal action.
Artistic Intent:
During the proceedings, Kaechele argued that denying men entry to the mysterious room was an intentional part of the artwork. By experiencing exclusion, she believed men would gain a taste of the discrimination and historical injustices women have faced throughout history. Kaechele also advocated for equal rights alongside special privileges, or “unequal rights,” as a means of restitution for centuries of injustice.
Legal Implications:
The tribunal recognized the art exhibition’s participatory component and acknowledged its intentional discrimination for good faith artistic purposes. However, it also asserted that Australia’s 1998 anti-discrimination act “does not permit discrimination for good faith artistic purpose per se.”
Artistic Response:
Throughout the proceedings, Kaechele and her supporters treated the tribunal as an extension of their art. They wore matching dark blue suits and synchronized movements. In a witness statement to the tribunal, Kaechele expressed her belief that women are deeply embedded in the dominion of men and need a peaceful space to retreat from their influence. She described the Ladies Lounge as “a haven in which to think clearly, and relish the pure company of women – to escape the invisible story woven through history.”
Impact of Ruling:
The tribunal’s decision left MONA officials “deeply disappointed,” and they are currently considering their options. According to the museum, a ruling in favor of Lau would likely result in the Ladies Lounge closing as it would have to open to men. In response to the decision, MONA’s Instagram account posted a photo of a velvet-clad hand giving the middle finger, with one user commenting that she visited the exhibit in 2021 with her husband and enjoyed the novelty of being in a space where no man was allowed.
Conclusion:
The controversy surrounding MONA’s Ladies Lounge highlights the complex and ongoing dialogue around gender equality, artistic freedom, and historical injustices. As the museum considers its options following the tribunal’s ruling, it will be essential to strike a balance between upholding artistic intent and complying with Australia’s anti-discrimination laws.
