The Thinkery
Art, design, architecture, books, maps and more in MONA's new library
What do you give someone who loves design, architecture, books and creative curation, for their birthday?
My partner nailed it when he took me on a special birthday outing to the new section at MONA in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
The new library there, comprised of David Walshe’s massive collection of books, is indeed a “Thinkery” with books on diverse and fascinating subjects.
Designed by one of my favourite Australian architects, Nonda Katsalidis, the space is fun, thoughtful, luxurious, with hidden lowlit ‘salons’ or lounges showcasing writers from Shakespeare, Charles Darwin, Captain Cook logbooks, illustrated maps, and other valuable works behind glass.
Out in the main library area there’s an eclectic collection of books on nature, travel, sex, death, quantum physics, and more. You can handle them, sit on a lounge and read them, try to make sense of the non-dewey-decimal-system curation. No white gloves needed!
I've been to art galleries and museums around the world, MONA still ranks as the most immersive experience for me. Here's a few photos from a personal perspective on my visit this week.
Sparks of inspiration and clever design in a space devoted to words has rekindled my passion for reading . . . And writing.
Today I went to a Writers Market in a nearby town. I had a chat with several writers and supported some by actually buying their books. As a published author myself, I know how much goes into writing and publishing a book, so like to sprinkle seeds of encouragement for other writers whenever I can.
From global antiquities, collectors editions, literary ephemera and books from famous people, right through to local self-published people, this has been my own personal ‘book week’.
Books made of paper, with clever bindings and covers to capture attention. Matt paper, cream, stark white, black ink . . .
Something you can touch, smell, rustle the paper as you turn each page.
Somewhere you can tuck small mementoes between pages . . . rose petals from the ‘just because’ bouquet, a funeral card of an elderly aunt, a clip of hair from a much loved dog.
How long is it since you held a paper book in your hands and read it?
Reading physical books is like a brain gym. Done any heavy lifting lately?
Sensitive perspective