A Ferris Wheel by Jean-Michel Basquiat. A pavilion by Roy Lichtenstein. A carousel by Keith Haring. A soundtrack that runs from Philip Glass to André 3000. Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy is one of the most improbable exhibitions you will ever see—combining some of the biggest names in 20th century art with the exuberance of a carnival. There’s a dreamlike quality to being here, as if despite all evidence you can’t quite believe this actually happened.
© Keith Haring Foundation. Licensed by Artestar, New York. Photo by Brian Ferry, Courtesy of Luna Luna LLC.
The story of Luna Luna begins with André Heller, an Austrian pop star who conceived of bringing together the youthful energy of a fairground with art that could be experienced outside the buttoned-up confines of a museum. It took him over a decade, but somehow he convinced superstar artists (Keith Haring, Salvador Dalí, and Sonia Delaunay among them) to contribute their work and tracked down the sponsorships to launch it.
The show opened in Hamburg, Germany for the summer of 1987. There were plans to mount it elsewhere but the art ended up in shipping containers in Texas where it sat, all but forgotten, for decades.
It is something of a miracle, then, that we can enjoy this art today. The works were purchased sight unseen and the wasp nests growing on the outside of the containers must have made the idea of resuscitation a long shot. But when the containers were unsealed the team discovered unexpectedly well-preserved works. The organizers also encountered original elements like motors and lighting, used in the show as much as possible. There are even vintage prints and t-shirts, rescued from 1987 and available for purchase. That any of this survived—let alone can be enjoyed today—fits right in with the show’s opening quote, by Heller, “My desire is to be a miracle, surrounded by miracles.”
There are two main spaces, the first highlighted by that Lichtenstein pavilion, which has been outfitted with an interior labyrinth that you can navigate with disorienting, fun house effects. The Haring carousel is here, featuring a rare self-portrait amid vibrant spinning figures. Also here is the “Dalidom,” a Salvador Dali original that uses mirrors and shifting colors to create endless photo ops, above.
At the back of this entry space is an exceedingly well done timeline of the last century, mixing art, pop culture, and world events to create a full context for Luna Luna’s “origin story.”
Ferris Wheel: All Basquiat works © Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York. Photo by Brian Ferry, Courtesy of Luna Luna LLC.
As you flow into the next room, Luna Luna opens up. There’s a soaring ceiling, one of the striking architectural touches of the setting, The Shed at Hudson Yards. With rides all around a wide central expanse, the area has a midway feel and gives a good sense of what the original installation must have felt like. When surprise figures move into the space, you may pick up the vibes of a medieval fair. At times all the rides move at once, in a rush of light and sound. The effect is of being in a movie.
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
You can find intimate moments in this part of Luna Luna as well. Classical music meets shifting lights in the forest-inspired installation Enchanted Tree by David Hockney. There’s an an interactive pavilion by Poncili Creacion, which represents Luna Luna’s first new commission since its inception. It holds a niche near one of Heller’s contributions to the show, a “Wedding Chapel” open to any union you can dream up.
Before you leave make sure to head up to Level 4, home of The Overlook. A balcony provides dramatic views of the show, mixing the energy of the scene with a tranquility that comes from taking it in as an overview. You may want to linger for a while here at the Butterfly Bar, open only to Luna Luna ticket holders and serving drinks and bites inspired by the show.
Part time capsule, part treasure chest, Luna Luna will leave you feeling inspired, a reminder that unlikely ideas can be realized, and they can bring joy.
WHY LUNA LUNA IS WORTH IT
- This is a one of a kind experience
- You'll be a participant in something highly improbable
- With the upstairs bar and the Hudson Yards location, you can make a day of it
- Great photo ops and very Instagrammable
- You'll learn and gain a broader context on 20th century art
- You will come out of Luna Luna inspired
Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy is on view through March 16th at The Shed in Hudson Yards. 545 W. 30th St., 646-455-3494, lunaluna.com