Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) has relocated a portion of its Picasso collection to a women’s restroom following a court decision that ruled the display of the artwork in a women-only exhibition space was discriminatory against men, The Independent reported.
The Ladies Lounge, created by American artist Kirsha Kaechele, is currently under appeal after the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Tascat) found the museum to be in violation of the state’s anti-discriminatory law in April. Ms Kaechele expressed her delight at the complaint, stating that the men’s reaction to the exhibit was, in fact, the art itself.
In an effort to keep the Ladies Lounge open to women only, Ms Kaechele explored various loopholes, including transforming the space into a toilet or a church. The museum plans to open the exhibit to men on Sundays, allowing them to learn skills such as ironing and folding laundry.
Tascat deputy president Richard Grueber ruled in April that Mr Lau’s complaint was valid, as he had been denied entry to a part of the museum solely because of his gender. Ms Kaechele, in announcing her decision to appeal the ruling, emphasized the importance of the Ladies Lounge as a safe space exclusively for women.
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