Sydney. Artist Kirsha Kaechele allows women to appreciate her work only as part of her art. A viewer is now suing for discrimination.
The Museum For art new and old – known as MONA for short – this isn't the museum you'd expect in sleepy Hobart, the capital of the Australian island of Tasmania. Perhaps New York, Paris or Rome would be more appropriate. Egyptian sarcophagi are on display here, but there's also controversial modern art: for example, a “machine” that produces real, foul-smelling excrement, or a walkway with more than a hundred female genitalia hanging from ceramics.
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It quickly becomes clear to museumgoers: artists and curators like to stir a lot into their exhibits. This also applies to one of the current exhibitions, which only allows access to female visitors. Except for the butlers who serve champagne in tall glasses to the female guests, the men must stay out. But the concept is not met with universal recognition: a male viewer feels was discriminated against – and the case in court.
Museum visitors sued against ban on men
They are denied entry into the so-called Ladies Restroom, a small oasis lined with dark green velvet curtains displaying original works by Picasso and Sidney Nolan. Like the other men, Jason Lau was not allowed to enter the installation designed by American artist and curator Kirsha Cassel when he visited the museum in April 2023. This upset the visitor so much that he complained to Tasmania's Anti-Discrimination Commissioner. She was discriminated against because of her gender, Lau said.
At the Museum of New and Old Art in Australia, artist Kirsha Kaechele is exhibiting exclusively for women. He will have to answer this in court.
© Flickr | Charlotte Vignau
The case was heard in Hobart Court. During this court hearing, the man argued: He has 35 Australian dollar, equivalent to approximately 21 euros, is expected to be a paid entry and therefore access to the entire museum. “I was very surprised when I was told I couldn't see an exhibit called Women's Lounge,” Lau said, according to local media reports.
Artist: The Lounge is supposed to provide a “quiet retreat” for women.
Meanwhile, curator Kirsha Kassel openly admits that the exhibition is biased. That's what she wants to achieve in her work. “We are very deep in governance of man “It's embodied that we don't even see how we cling to and multiply His reign in countless ways,” Cassel wrote in an email.
This is why the Ladies' Lounge is needed: it is “a quiet retreat for women; a Sanctuary“Think clearly and enjoy the pure company of women”. It is “an irresistible place” to “retreat from this strange and inappropriate male-dominated world”. Cassel says it should be more.
The American took advantage of the trial in March to appear in the media: along with other self-proclaimed feminists, she walked out of court in the open – with red lips, pearl necklaces and a matching dark blue suit. Cassel, who is in a relationship with the museum's founder David Walsh, apparently proved that the process suited her well. Almost her sequel Art.
“Men only” clubs are still common in Australia today
Kachel's lawyer, Kathryn Scott, told the court that the job was discriminatory. By denying men access to the exhibition, it allows them to enjoy something. Kaechele also emphasized the experience of rejection Art is work.
The artist was inspired by authentic men-only clubs in Australia for his installation.
© Flickr | Jesse Hanniford
The ladies lounge is inspired by the men-only areas. So allowed Australia It was not until 1965 that women were allowed to enter public bars. Previously, if they were allowed in, they were relegated to the so-called “ladies' lounge,” a small area where more expensive drinks were often sold.
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Clubs like the Melbourne Club in Australia or the Australian Club in Sydney still only accept men. In 2021, the Australian club voted on whether it wanted to allow women, but decided against it. Among the members Clubs Even former Australian Prime Ministers.
Court decision on whether today's ladies lounge exists MonaIt turns this concept on its head and will be “women only” in the future, which is expected in the coming weeks.
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