Ever since it premiered in Los Angeles last year, “Luna Luna” has captivated audiences with its fascinating lost-and-found narrative and revels in fond childhood memories. Now “Luna Luna: Fantasy Forgotten” has come to The Shed in New York, and this exhibition offers much more than simple entertainment: an invitation to revisit a time when art gradually entered different stages of social life—in some cases. , which offers a window into the past and ways to re-experience the wonder of childhood.
Luna Luna, the world's first artistic amusement park, was brought to life in the summer of 1987 in Hamburg by the Viennese artist, pop singer, cultural pioneer and peace activist André Heller. In just one season, it entertained 300,000 visitors on its classic-style rides that were also original works of art designed by the likes of up-and-coming artists Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kenny Scharf, Keith Haring and David Hockney, as well. such as established icons such as Roy Lichtenstein and Salvador Dalí. Together, they have created a world of wonder in a limited creative space that offers a dynamic between the experience of art and fantasy. Originally intended for a world tour, Luna Luna was eventually dismantled and locked away in warehouses in Texas for more than three decades until it was rediscovered by businessman Michael Goldberg and bought by world-famous singer Drake.
“The Forgotten Myth” aims to bring back this magical wonder that our society seems to need so much, sparking curiosity and encouraging cross-pollination between storytelling processes that can still spark the human imagination, even in the midst of modernity. the threat of alienation. That said, while this multi-sensory exhibit is more than just Instagrammable eye candy, not all attractions—or, more accurately, art installations—are fully functional due to their critical conservation needs. In other words, there is no riding this ride.
But visitors can still lose themselves in Roy Lichtenstein's magnificent glass mirror labyrinth or, for the romantic, take part in an elaborate wedding at Heller's. Wedding Week. The event comes complete with all the trappings to make it feel almost official—including a Polaroid and signature certificate—except the rings are frisbees. Once you have entered this experience, you have already agreed to be vulnerable enough to accept this different aspect between reason and social constraints, giving a clear space to enjoy yourself in fiction while responding to more unconscious responses to the environment. Memories, as we know, tend to trigger a natural and highly sensitive response to our surroundings, which we then filter through the lens of “socially acceptable” interpretations.
It works or not, many carnival rides and the attractions shown go beyond the ordinary, as only art can be done, to give visitors access to a fun experience based on the established names of the artists, confirming these moments as “appropriate entertainment” for an adult. the world.
Another picture-perfect attraction at “Luna Luna” is Keith Haring's painted carousel, which transforms iconic murals into three-dimensional seats in bubble-gum pink, lime green and tangerine orange. Haring's presence is felt in his portrait, where he is depicted holding a paintbrush in the two panels at the center of the carousel. Another panel shows a crescent moon—a nod to the design he did for the Luna Luna T-shirts that were originally sold in the park.
A Victorian-style rocking chair, adorned with playful geometric shapes, features Kenny Scharf's signature cartoon figures. According to the lengthy descriptions that accompany each attraction, Scharf spent weeks painstakingly painting the swing in a warehouse in Vienna. Many of the artists involved in the 1987 project were, in fact, directly involved, devoting time to work on certain commissions.
Such was David Hockney's poetic nature, Enchanted medicinethe artist took it as an attractive landscape painted with colorful, geometric trees and classical music by Johann and Joseph Strauss. Hockney's work was a beautiful blend of art and nature, evoking a sense of royalty and stirring the soul. Another close-up art installation is Rebecca Horn's amusement park fare Thermometer of lovewith an active thermometer that registers various emotions, from “loneliness” to “sensitivity” to “longing”—diagnoses given based on the participant's body temperature. Even Luna Luna's entry was a work of art, covered as it was in the mysterious kaleidoscopic writings of Sonia Delaunay, who expanded her vision of an artistic universe integrated into all aspects of life.
One of the centerpieces is Jean-Michel Basquiat's painted vintage Ferris wheel from 1933, reimagined as part of the artist's landscape. Among its cast are jazz legend Charlie Parker; Basquiat only agreed to the commission once it was confirmed that the Ferris wheel could be set to Miles Davis' 1986 song “Tutu.”
The surreal experience continues with the Dalíom platform signed by Salvador Dalí: an interesting geodesic dome with an interior covered with painted trapeze dancers and mirrors designed to attract the perception of space, creating a kaleidoscope of endless ideas that disturb the senses of space and gravity. Echoing in this temple of illusion is the reverberating sound of the Gregorian chants of the Blue Chip Orchestra, featuring Dalí from 1939. Dream of Venus a surrealist funhouse with beautiful locations found in amusement parks, invites visitors to surrender to a surrealist vision of happiness.
While it may disappoint some that none of these rides work given the $44 ticket price, an ongoing set of funny acts—re-enacted and re-imagined by local New York performers—amplifies the carnivalesque magic. It reminds us of how Cirque du Soleil has reimagined what circus can be, interdisciplinary and creative. The result is a multi-sensory orchestration, offering a journey back to the colorful experiences we remember so vividly from our youth.
An interesting escape from the life of the city, “Luna Luna” offers an unusual but integrated artistic experience, revealing an unexpected angle where they should engage with the beauty of famous artists who, during a powerful action, want to bring the imagination. the power of art for a wide audience. Ultimately, “Luna Luna” is much more than an Instagrammable spectacle—an experience that can evoke a wide set of emotional and psychological responses, depending on how deeply you're willing to explore.
“Luna Luna: Fantasy Forgotten” will be on view at the Shed until January 5.
