Tassie

Unlikely as it may seem, an exact replica of Mawson's Huts has been created on a prime site near the Hobart waterfront by the Mawson's Huts Foundation (which also is busily restoring and preserving the original structures at Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica). The idea is that this will be accessible to many more people. We passed the site just a week before it was due to open on 2 December 2013, the 102nd anniversary of the sailing of the original Australasian Antarctic Expedition led by Mawson. Unfortunately it was very much a construction site at that stage, with safety considerations preventing uninvited visitors.... But I managed to photograph the fence. :) Happy Fence Friday!

We began our Tasmanian visit with a tour through the Huon Valley. The weather was inclement, but the winery where this was taken had much to recommend it (not least a warm fire). :) Explored.

I'd recommend pressing 'Z' to view on black.

There was a time, when Tasmanian apples were exported to the UK, that ships would come up the Huon and load from little wharves alongside sheds such as this. The UK joining the EU meant an end to apple exports (and much of the apple industry). Now, it appears, this little shed has been converted to a residence. I suggest pressing 'Z'.

Outside Tasmania, Australia has few landscapes similar to this, with mountains, dense eucalyptus forests, and insanely green pastures. The horse is a bonus. :) Explored.

Hobart in Tasmania features a quite unique privately owned museum and gallery called MONA, the "Museum of Old and New Art". Housed in a remarkable purpose-built building, you will find mainly avant-garde art (in some surprising forms) alongside Greek antiquities and Egyptian sarcophagi. The building is built alongside the Derwent estuary, nestled into a hillside cutting in natural sandstone (seen here) which becomes a feature wall. Entry is from the top, via a lift to begin the visit at the lower level. There are no signs or explanatory notes, instead visitors are given electronic devices which are activated by proximity sensors to show what is nearby and all the relevant details. Should you choose to provide your email address, the details of your visit are recorded and an internet link provided by email enables you to recreate your visit at leisure through an interactive site! Back to this shot. Apart from the wall, the fenced item at lower left is best described as an 'adult trampoline', whereby jumping on it rings one of several large bronze bells. I did say 'avant-garde'! If you've a little time, the website for MONA is www.mona.net.au

In my previous image (see note) I gave some indication of what MONA is about, and how it is possible to store and retrieve online a record of one's visit and what was seen. This photo was taken from immediately below the previous image, at the lower level, and gives more of a view of the trampoline and bell. I have retrieved the following information on this artwork from my MONA virtual tour record: Danser la musique 2000–9 Chen Zhen. Installation of steel, iron, nylon, hemp, cannon shells, bullet shells, Buddhist bells, edition 1/3 Courtesy of Galerie Guy Bärtschi, Geneva Born 1955, Shanghai, China; emigrated in 1986 to Paris, France; died 2000 in Paris So feel free to virtually leap on the trampoline and make the bell ring. :)

With an earlier shot (see note) I outlined what makes the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) so unique in Australia. MONA also differs from almost every other Australian museum and gallery by allowing photography (no flash though). Marvellous! The lady in red is examining what was probably my favourite piece, the "Berlin Buddha". This is a two-part artwork, the nearer component being a very substantial aluminium and steel mould to create the second half facing the camera: a large Buddha (the head apparently came off when cast) made by Zhang Huan from over eight tonnes of incense ash collected from shrines in Shanghai. It is called the Berlin Buddha because a version was first made in Berlin in 2007. The casting reflects Buddhist teachings about life and death, from existence to nothingness - and (intentionally) is slowly crumbling away, as seen by the surrounding ring of ash on the floor (see the inset note). Best viewed on black (press 'Z').

In an earlier shot (see note) I explained the unique Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) alongside the Derwent River estuary in Hobart. This 2007 full size 'concrete truck' sculpture in laser-cut steel is by Belgian artist Wim Delvoye and is on the roof level of MONA (from which entry is by lift to down near water level). The surrounding fences are in treated steel, matching the truck. Happy Fence Friday!