$1bn Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lifts off at long last
After almost a decade of delays and controversies, George Lucas and Mellody Hobson launch a giant space to house a 40,000-piece collection spanning from comics to Star Wars materials to a Frida Kahlo self-portrait
The $1bn Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, founded by Star Wars director George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson, is set to open in Los Angeles's Exposition Park on September 22. After eight years of delays, the museum boasts a curving, sci-fi-style building designed by Mad Architects. The 300,000 sq. ft exhibition space is surrounded by lush gardens and winding paths.
The museum's collection, focused on illustration, features more than 1,200 objects from Lucas and Hobson's private collection in 35 galleries. Lucas, who began collecting comics while in college, insists the museum is not a Star Wars museum and will display 20th-century comic strips and works by major artists like Frida Kahlo, Norman Rockwell, and Maxfield Parrish.
The founders emphasize storytelling, calling the collection "narrative art". The museum aims to create a home for underrepresented illustrators and artists. Admission is free for children under 17 and those living in postcode 90037. The galleries are organized by themes like "play", "love", "family" and "adventure". Despite some controversies, including delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, staff layoffs, and criticism over the "narrative art" label, the museum represents a unique fusion of storytelling forms rarely shown together.
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