Inside the gutsy, defiant Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Los Angeles Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, opening September 22, showcases a diverse collection emphasizing 20th-century mass media illustrators, cartoonists, and popular artists alongside traditional masters, challenging conventional art hierarchies.
- Architect Ma Yansong designed the 300,000-square-foot building to resemble a friendly spacecraft, aligning with George Lucas’s legacy as the creator of "Star Wars," though the museum’s exhibits focus more broadly on narrative art than on "Star Wars" alone.
- The museum’s galleries are organized thematically around everyday human experiences such as work, community, and motherhood, rather than by genre or prestige, promoting inclusivity and sparking debate among critics and connoisseurs.
- George Lucas and co-founder Mellody Hobson’s vision prioritizes art that evokes emotional connection and collective memory, featuring artists like Norman Rockwell, whose socially significant works are prominently displayed.
- The Lucas Museum aims to broaden the definition of art and engage a wide audience, combining family-friendly exhibits with fine dining and outdoor spaces, ultimately inviting visitors to reconsider how art relates to culture and society.
