An art museum is being sued for a women's only exhibit that contains some of the museum's most-acclaimed works.
The Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) features a "Ladies Lounge" is Tasmania takes the imagery of an old Australian pub and twisting it on its head, by only allowing women inside.
Inside the exhibit, there is a chandelier that hangs over a phallus-shaped velvet couch and a chequered marble floor.
Women guests are ushered into the space being handed champagne by male butlers "who live to serve" them.
Now, New South Wales resident Jason Lau has complained that Mona is engaging in illegal discrimination.
Artist Kirsha Kaechele called the exhibit an "essential space for perspective and reset from this strange and disjointed world of male domination".
Appearing at the high court Lau said: "I was quite surprised when I was told that I would not be able to see one exhibition, the Ladies Lounge.
"Anyone who buys a ticket would expect a fair provision of goods and services in line with the law."
The museum agrees the exhibit does indeed discriminate.
But it argued that Mr Lau hasn't missed out on anything, and that he experienced the artwork exactly as intended.
Mona's counsel, Catherine Scott said: "Part of the experience is being denied something that is desired...It excludes men, and I would be lying if I were to say I didn't find it titillating."
More to come...
