The highly anticipated Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles is set to open its doors in September, and it has just unveiled the first set of exhibitions curated by its co-founder, George Lucas. This new cultural institution will showcase approximately 12,000 artifacts from a collection that spans over 40,000 items, meticulously gathered by Lucas over the past five decades.
Occupying a vast 300,000-square-foot space within LA's Exposition Park, the museum will feature 30 galleries, each designed to explore diverse themes and artistic expressions. The exhibitions will highlight the works of renowned artists such as Thomas Hart Benton, Norman Rockwell, and N.C. Wyeth, as well as celebrated illustrators like Frank Frazetta and Jessie Willcox Smith, the only woman to receive such recognition in this context.
Visitors can expect a rich tapestry of themes across the galleries, including architecture, cinema, photography, muralism, comics, and children's literature. The cinema section will draw from the extensive Lucas Archives, featuring production designs, costumes, and props, while the muralism gallery will showcase preparatory sketches from iconic artists like Diego Rivera and Judith F. Baca.
Moreover, two overarching themes will guide the exploration of various subsections within the galleries. The first, "Everyday Life," will delve into aspects such as "Childhood," "Motherhood," "Love," and "Play." The second theme, "Narrative Forms," will encompass genres like "Adventure," "Fantasy," "Romance," and "Science Fiction."
Additional galleries will focus on "Western Stories," highlighting myths of the American West, and "History," which will feature artwork that recounts significant historical events. A section on "Civic Life" will portray experiences related to political and judicial processes.
As stated in a recent press release, the museum aims to give due recognition to contemporary visual storytelling mediums, including comics and graphic novels, which have often been overlooked. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art aspires to be a sanctuary for what Lucas describes as "the people's art."
The strategy for gallery installations mirrors that of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, which features standalone galleries within its permanent collection. Lucas's personal involvement as curator reflects significant leadership changes within the museum, including recent departures of key personnel and adjustments in staff structure.
This innovative approach to curation and exhibition not only enriches the cultural landscape of Los Angeles but also sets a new precedent for how narrative art is presented and appreciated. As the museum prepares to open, it promises to inspire future generations and redefine the boundaries of artistic expression.
