At the Comic-Con event, George Lucas provides a sneak peek of his upcoming Lucas Museum, dismissing the notion that he is a conventional art collector.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art: A Temple to People's Art
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, set to open in Los Angeles next year, is a groundbreaking institution dedicated to the celebration of visual storytelling across time, cultures, and media. Co-founded by filmmaker George Lucas and investor Mellody Hobson, the museum will be a comprehensive, state-of-the-art institution that showcases the broad cultural impact of narrative art.
Located on an 11-acre site in Exposition Park, the museum encompasses a 300,000-square-foot building within a newly designed green space. The building, designed by Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, features fluid, organic geometries that contrast with neighboring structures, appearing to hover lightly above the parkland, evoking the form of a giant space cruiser. Landscape architect Mia Lehrer has created a shaded public oasis shaping the surrounding environment.
Inside the museum, visitors will find 33 galleries showcasing narrative artworks, two theaters, a retail space, a restaurant and café, a library, and an event venue. The museum's founding collection includes works by artists such as Kadir Nelson, Beatrix Potter, Frida Kahlo, and various works from Lucas's filmmaking career. Notable pieces include the first character drawing of Flash Gordon from 1934, original sketches from the Peanuts comics from the '50s and '60s, original drawings from Iron Man's first cover in 1968, and an original pen and ink splash of Black Panther.
George Lucas views narrative art as vital to showing what common beliefs mean in everyday life and to society's development. He describes the museum as "a temple to the people's art," emphasizing illustration's role in shaping society's common belief systems and everyday life meaning. The institution aims to be a cultural hub where narrative art is valued and experienced as a vital global cultural force.
The museum has adopted a new organizational structure separating the roles of artistic direction (guided by Lucas himself) and executive management (with former Paramount and Fox CEO Jim Gianopulos serving as interim CEO). The museum's leadership is committed to fostering gathering, learning, and connection within the community.
George Lucas made his Comic-Con debut at Hall H on Sunday, joined by Queen Latifah, Guillermo del Toro, Doug Chiang, and others, for a panel titled "Sneak Peek of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art." The panel offered a glimpse into the museum's vision and the diverse collection it will house.
George Lucas's longtime love for narrative art dates back to when he started collecting in college. His collection, now exceeding over 40,000 works, emphasizes emotional connections over monetary value. The museum will be a testament to his passion for visual storytelling and its power to create community.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is poised to become a significant cultural institution in Los Angeles, celebrating the power of visual storytelling and its role in shaping society.
- The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, with its inclusive focus on storytelling across various media, will exhibit works by renowned artists like Kadir Nelson, Beatrix Potter, Frida Kahlo, and those from George Lucas's filmmaking career.
- George Lucas, co-founder of the museum, views narrative art as pivotal in illustrating common beliefs and shaping everyday life, thus emphasizing its significance in society's development.
- The museum's collection includes unique pieces such as the first character drawing of Flash Gordon, original sketches from Peanuts comics, original Iron Man cover drawings, and an original Black Panther splash art, underscoring its distinct and valuable offerings.
- In addition to displaying various artworks, the museum will also feature two theaters, a retail space, a restaurant and café, a library, and an event venue, making it a comprehensive entertainment destination.
- As movies, TV, celebrities, and pop culture increasingly influence modern society, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will serve as a testament to the lasting power of visual storytelling and its ability to create meaningful connections within the community.
