Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art is expanding to Bangkok in a major partnership hoped to put the state on the global cultural map like never before.
MONA and Thai developer Asset World Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding to build a new art destination on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, to be called MONA Bangkok.
MONA founder David Walsh, artist and curator Kirsha Kaechele and DarkLab chief executive Leigh Carmichael joined Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff in Bangkok for the signing.
AWC was represented by chief executive Wallapa Traisorat and chief commercial business officer Michael Hariz.
Australian Ambassador-Designate to Thailand Pablo Kang, Thai Minister of Culture Sabeeda Thaised and Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt also attended.
Rockliff described the deal as a defining moment for Tasmania’s cultural and economic future.
“MONA has transformed Tasmania, attracting visitors from around the world and helping establish the State as a globally recognised creative destination,” he said.
“MONA’s next project places Tasmania at the global forefront of the cultural landscape and is a credit to the passion of David Walsh, Leigh Carmichael and all the MONA team.”
Walsh said AWC had presented “a remarkable opportunity to take what we’ve learned to one of the great tourist centres of the world”.
Since opening in Hobart in 2011, MONA has attracted more than 5.2 million visitors and helped turn Hobart into an international cultural destination.
Carmichael said MONA Bangkok would “take the creative spirit of Mona into a new context”.
“Like the museum in Hobart, it will be unconventional and unique and will present work by leading international artists, while also creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue with Thai artists, audiences and cultural traditions,” he said.
He said the theme of light would be central to the project, explored “both as a physical phenomenon and as a metaphor”.
Traisorat said the collaboration reflected “the power of partnerships to create lasting cultural and economic value”.
“We are excited to welcome Mona to Bangkok to create a world-class cultural landmark that inspires creativity, fosters meaningful artist communities and encourages more people to discover new experiences,” she said.
Rockliff is pitching the deal as a tourism play for Tasmania.
“Every visitor inspired by this project in Thailand is a potential future visitor to Tasmania,” he said.
The two organisations first connected during a state government trade and investment mission last year.
No opening date for MONA Bangkok has been announced.
