a visit to MONA, Tasmania

Made from discarded plastic bottles, this urn shaped vase resembles ancient Roman glass.

One of my favourite exhibits of the entire display was titled "Tracing Time" by Clare Morgan (above, right) consisting of 10,000 dandelion seeds which were collected here in Tasmania and glued on by hand. The moment of a wren falling through the seeds and the disruption to the seeds in its wake is captured in time. Magical. As is the "Fairy Horde and the Hedgehog Host" by Tessa Farmer (above centre).

This is a Victorian period skeleton of a monkey sitting in a Rosewood chair.

More amazing exhibits... "Bit.Fall" (above) consists of water pumps that allow droplets of water to fall and form words. The sound coming from dropping water resonated throughout the lowest floor of the museum. I can still hear the wonderful sound days later.

This bust is contemporary Chinese porcelain made in Jingdezhen, Jiang Xi Province, the centre for Chinese porcelain manufacture in China. It has been decorated by hand.

These corroded bronze coins are cargo from a sunken ship and date to the Ming Dynasty 1368-1644. They have been mounted on a wall and are a piece of art in itself.

And by far my favourite theme of the museum is ancient Egyptian and Roman artifacts. From mummies, sarcophagi (or coffins), scarabs and amulets I was in ancient heaven! The collection of turquoise coloured mortuary amulets (above) are a highlight. They date from c. 664 BCE to 525 BCE and have been mounted in gold in the 20th century, possibly by Cartier. A dreamy necklace indeed. All images taken from MONA. Admission is free.