Marina Abramović and James Turrell to Design Spa for David Walsh's Tasmanian Hotel

David Walsh, the eccentric Tasmanian collector and founder of MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), is expanding his empire with a luxury hotel adjacent to the museum in Halsh. The Motown Hotel will feature 176 lavish rooms, a library, a 1,075-seat theater, a conference center, a gallery, and office spaces. The highlight is a spa designed by artists Marina Abramović (born 1946 in Belgrade) and James Turrell (born 1943 in Pasadena, California). The entire architectural complex is designed by Melbourne-based Fender Katsalidis Architects (FKA). Access to the hotel will primarily be by ferry. The project has an estimated cost of $400 million and is expected to be completed no earlier than 2024. Walsh stated that the Motown is partly a commercial venture and that banks will be happy to take over financing after opening; during construction, he will seek local government guarantees for some funding. Delays are possible if financing elements cannot be secured. The specific design of the spa has not been revealed, but the choice of Abramović and Turrell is seen as fitting given Abramović's early work on the limits of the body and meditation, and Turrell's investigations of light as artistic and psychological element (his work was previously featured in Drake's 2011 music video "Hotline Bling"). The spa will cater to wealthy visitors, reflecting a trend of merging art, design, and luxury hospitality.