The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opened its doors in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park on Sept. 22, a project at least 17 years in the making. Founded by filmmaker George Lucas, the 300,000-square-foot institution houses his expansive private collection, blending high-art masterpieces with the artifacts of cinematic history. The museum’s futuristic architecture, designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with Stantec, occupies a 13-acre campus situated near the Memorial Coliseum.
Seventeen Years in the Making
The path to completion spanned at least 17 years, with roots tracing back to the 1977 release of the first “Star Wars.” While Lucas initially eyed Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay, he ultimately selected Los Angeles for the site. The endeavor reached completion following a reported $1 billion investment. The opening event drew a high-profile crowd, including Harrison Ford and Tom Cruise, signaling the museum’s arrival as a major cultural force in the city.
Where Frida Kahlo Meets Darth Vader
The galleries rely on a striking juxtaposition of traditional fine art and entertainment relics. Visitors can view a 1940 self-portrait by Frida Kahlo in the same space as Cassius Marcellus Coolidge’s 1894 painting, “Poker Game.” The collection also anchors itself in social commentary, featuring Norman Rockwell’s 1964 painting, “The Problem We All Live With,” which depicts 6-year-old Ruby Bridges being escorted to school by U.S. marshals during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis.
Beyond canvas and paint, the museum houses a significant portion of the Lucas Archives. This includes costumes and props from Lucasfilm productions dating from the 1970s to 2012, such as a life-sized Darth Vader, Luke’s original speeder, and models of the Millennium Falcon and an AT-AT. The collection extends to other media, featuring a Batman stunt suit from “The Dark Knight” series and the original Cowardly Lion costume from “The Wizard of Oz.”
Cinematic Grounds and Campus Life
The 13-acre campus incorporates outdoor elements designed to ground the visitor in cinematic storytelling. Statues of Yoda and Grogu, as well as a depiction of Princess Leia slaying Jabba the Hutt in “Return of the Jedi,” are installed on the grounds. The facility also includes the Skywalker Grill, a rooftop dining space that incorporates subtle references to the filmmaker’s body of work. The curation reflects the core themes of Lucas’ own films: fear, compassion, redemption, and tricky father-son relationships.
By the Numbers: Museum Specifications
- Total Square Footage: 300,000 square feet.
- Total Campus Size: 13 acres.
- Design Architects: Ma Yansong of MAD with Stantec.
- Key Collection Highlights: Works by Diego Rivera, Dorothea Lange, N. C. Wyeth, and Banksy, alongside “Star Wars” artifacts and comic art ranging from the first “Flash Gordon” strip to “Garfield.”
- Opening Date: Sept. 22.