The one-of-a-kind experience will showcase vintage carnival rides by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Salvador Dali, David Hockney and more.
Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy, the world’s first art amusement park, will open for a limited time at The Shed in New York City on November 20th, after a successful debut run in Los Angeles.
A colorful, riotous fun house of carnival rides and attractions by the 20th century’s most celebrated and innovative artists, Luna Luna features a ferris wheel by Jean-Michel Basquiat, a carousel by Keith Haring, a wave swinger by Kenny Scharf, a wedding chapel by André Heller, immersive pavilions by David Hockney, Salvador Dalí and Roy Lichtenstein alongside additional pieces from Arik Brauer, Sonia Delaunay, Monika Gil’sing, and more.
Originally brought to life by the Viennese artist, pop singer, cultural pioneer, and peace activist André Heller, Luna Luna first enchanted audiences in Hamburg, Germany, during the summer of 1987 where it hosted 300,00 visitors. While a world tour was envisioned, the park’s treasures were abandoned in storage containers in Texas for more than 30 years before being hunted down by entrepreneur Michael Goldberg and then purchased, sight unseen, by world renowned musician, Drake. This newly formed Luna Luna team spent two years organizing and meticulously rebuilding the pieces, readying them for a second attempt at a world tour.
“You can be art-obsessed or have never heard of Basquiat, and Luna Luna will put a smile on your face. It’s one of those rare projects that has the power to bring together all walks of life—it’s a nostalgic format done in a totally new way,” says Michael Goldberg, Chief Experience Officer for Luna Luna and founder of Something Special Studios.
The resurrected Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy debuted in December 2023 in a studio in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles hosting more than 150,000 visitors and numerous special events.
“For Luna Luna at The Shed, audiences can experience visionary works by some of the leading artists of our times, all in the enticing and spirited format of an amusement park,” said Alex Poots, The Shed’s artistic director. “The Shed’s state-of-the-art spaces can create the wondrous setting to transport audiences to the enchanting world of Luna Luna, where each visitor can have their own magical experience.”
The New York show will include the aforementioned carefully curated selection of original artist-created rides and attractions, along with new soon to be announced commissions, components, theatrics and performances. This will be complemented by archival materials that delve into the history and significance and take visitors through the painstaking restoration process. Most importantly, visitors to this art amusement park will be transported to the world of Luna Luna as it was envisioned, with roving performers, curated music and an enchanting atmosphere along with access to iconic installations like David Hockney’s Enchanted Tree, Lichtenstein’s Glass Labyrinth and Salvador Dalí’s Dalídom. Guests can also visit The Luna Luna Store at The Shed, which will feature a curated selection of both archival items and new designs inspired by the original fair, including exclusive merchandise from artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring and Roy Lichtenstein.
“ART IS NOTHING IF YOU DON’T REACH EVERY SEGMENT OF THE PEOPLE” -Keith Haring
The exhibition is produced by Luna Luna’s creative studio, led by Michael Goldberg of Something Special Studios, and Charles Dorrance-King, as well as Jacob Cohl, Michael Keeling and the team at S2BN Entertainment. (PRNewswire)
You must be logged in to post a comment.