Victorious ‘patriarchy smashing’ Ladies’ Lounge reopens
The Museum of New and Old Art is reopening its notorious and lavish Ladies’ Lounge following a court win over a man who claimed the space was discriminatory.
The Ladies’ Lounge of an art gallery, which toasted a legal win over a man who claimed the space was discriminatory, is reopening for a celebratory “victory lap”.
Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) shut the lounge in April after Jason Lau complained to the state’s civil and administrative tribunal because he wasn’t allowed entry.
The tribunal found Mr Lau had been discriminated against and ordered that MONA allow men access, something the gallery wasn’t prepared to do.
In September, the Supreme Court of Tasmania quashed the tribunal’s decision after an appeal by the gallery and sent it back for reconsideration.
Kirsha Kaechele, artist and wife of MONA owner David Walsh, on Wednesday announced the lounge would reopen from December 19 to January 13 for a final “celebration performance and general lavishness”.
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“Welcome back, ladies,” she posted in Instagram.
“In celebration, the indulgent haven will open for a victory lap before moving on from MONA,” the gallery said in a statement.
The lounge will feature commissioned artworks and performances and women will be waited on by butlers, receive a glass of bubbles and “take respite from the patriarchy”.
Men remain banned but a select few can be “of service” through a digital ballot.
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“Through the court case, the Ladies’ Lounge has transcended the art museum and come to life,” Kaechele said.
“People from all over the world have been invited to contemplate the experiences of women throughout history and today.
“It is time to celebrate in the place where it all began – with the dedicated adoration of our butlers and copious amounts of champagne to toast this incredible chapter.”
Kaechele didn’t say where the lounge may head next but said the living artwork “could appear anywhere at any time, especially in centres of male power”.
In its September decision, the Supreme Court ruled the tribunal mischaracterised what the lounge intended to achieve and erred by claiming it only addressed past disadvantage experienced by women.
MONA successfully argued the space tackled present disadvantage, referencing a report highlighting current domestic violence rates and pay disparity.
“(The lounge’s) intention was to promote equal opportunity by drawing attention to present and past societal disadvantage to women by providing them with the concept of a ‘flipped universe’,” Acting Justice Stephen Marshall said.
“(It provides) women with a rare glimpse of what it is like to be advantaged rather than disadvantaged.”
During the court hearing, Mr Lau’s lawyer Greg Barns SC argued the lounge’s purpose was solely to reflect on historical disadvantage.
If the lounge was found to not be discriminatory it followed that you could cordon off areas “to make a point”, he said.
Kaechele said the ruling had smashed the patriarchy. She also thanked Mr Lau for sparking a conversation.
