Large Art Institution Challenges Court Ruling Allowing Men to Attend Women’s Exhibit
The ‘Ladies Lounge’ exhibit was required to allow men entry following a court decision in April.
The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), located in Hobart Tasmania, intends to challenge a ruling mandating the closure of its “Ladies’ Lounge” unless men are granted access.
The space, where women were treated by male butlers and served champagne amidst the museum’s finest artworks including pieces by Sidney Nolan, Pablo Picasso, and antiquities from Mesopotamia, Central America, and Africa, was off-limits to individuals not identifying as women.
Designed by artist Kirsha Kaechele, the wife of MILLIONAIRE owner David Walsh, the exhibit faced legal action from Jason Lau of New South Wales, claiming that denying him entry due to his gender violated Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act.
The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal sided with Lau, ordering MONA to open the exhibit to men within 28 days in April.
Deputy president of the Tribunal, Richard Grueber, criticized MONA’s argument about promoting equal opportunity as “inconsistent.”
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He stated, “It is unclear how denying men the opportunity to view the art in the Ladies Lounge, which is the main issue for Mr. Lau, advances opportunities for female artists to showcase their work.”
Exhibition Now Closed
Ms. Kaechele upheld the male-exclusionary policy until May 9 when the 28-day deadline expired, leading to the closure of the exhibition.
During the Tribunal proceedings, she turned the hearing into a performance art piece, with herself and supporters donning matching navy business attire, executing synchronized movements, and exiting to the song “Simply Irresistible” by Robert Palmer. Despite the theatrical nature, Ms. Kaechele stressed that the appeal would be a serious undertaking.
She remarked, “[It will be] an exploration by some very intelligent individuals of how the Anti-discrimination Act should be interpreted, and … if we lose, I believe it presents an opportunity to reevaluate the wording of that law, the legislation itself, because I firmly believe that spaces like this providing women a respite from men are crucial, particularly now.”
Regarding the Tribunal’s decision, she expressed, “It is a work of art. It is remarkable. It is literary, featuring rich alliteration, almost Shakespearean, and I highly recommend that everyone reads the ruling, and I am honored that the judge is participating in the work.”
