I have been sent a copy of a letter which has been published in this week’s TLS. I completely agree with it. I sometimes got the sense that David Walsh was trying to irritate the hell out of people like me by designing his museum MONA so wilfully unconventionally. But like Ashleigh Wilson, the author of the letter, I enjoyed and admired its provocative unconventionality, which has obviously succeeded in attracting new audiences.
I don’t recommend doing what I did which was to go on a day trip from London, not least because there is a hotel on site and I would have liked to go back and explore more the next day.
| Charles | Saumarez | Smith | 
Thanks for posting that as I would not have otherwise seen it. As you know I live just round the corner from MONA and agree wholeheartedly with the letter writer. No one could deny the beauty of the building and its setting, even if not all the art is to everyone’s taste. We’re heading there on Tuesday evening for a classical concert in the Nolan Gallery by the Australian string quartet. David has made a huge contribution to Tasmanian and world culture. Of course, his self acknowledged Aspergers underlies his quirkiness and rebellious nature but I have the utmost respect for him.