Visit Luna Luna, the World’s First Art Amusement Park
What is Luna Luna? It is an amusement park that was conceived by Andre’ Heller, a Viennese pop singer, and cultural icon over 40 years ago. “Heller imagined Luna Luna as a “total artwork” that combined visual art, music, theater, design, circus arts, and performance, and explained that the park aimed to recover public space for art and imagination.” It opened in June 1987 in Hamburg, Germany and hosted over 300,000 visitors that summer. The concept was daring and unique: create an amusement park with attractions, rides, and performances all designed by some of the leading artists of the time. From Keith Haring to Jean Michel Basquiat to Salvador Dali, the park was developed by Heller with the works of over 30 artists.
Jean Michel Basquiat Ferris Wheel
Keith Haring Carousel
Salvador Dali “Dalidome”
Luna Luna was a success; the idea was to exhibit internationally which would have been quite amazing. However Heller ran out of money so the attractions were disassembled and loaded into freight containers, shipped off to a warehouse, never to be seen again. However, some 35 years later, Luna Luna was rescued by Drake and his creative studio, DreamCrew. As they meticulously recreated the rides and exhibits, Luna Luna came alive. It is now on display in downtown Los Angeles in a 60,000 foot warehouse for all the public to see. Today my friend Jodi and I went to visit Luna Luna.
As you enter Luna Luna, you get a sense of the fanciful and whimsical adventure that awaits inside. Of course you first need to take a photo in one of the beautiful cut outs at the entrance!
Upon entering, there is much to take in. From the photo collages that explain the chronology of Luna Luna to the astounding attractions created by some of the most famous artists, it is fairly overwhelming. There is no possibility that I can show everything at Luna Luna, but let me take you through some of our favorites.
Painted Swings by Kenny Scharf
Whimsical Carousel by Arik Brauer
Glass Labyrinth by Roy Lichtenstein
In addition to all of the rides and exhibitions, there are circus performers: jugglers, stiltwalkers and street artists adding to the sense of excitement. You an even marry “anyone at any time” at the chapel created by Andre’ Heller.
Everywhere you turn, you will be surprised and delighted. We spent two hours touring; however if you took in all that Luna Luna has to offer (including a 30 minute video about its creation) you certainly could spend more time exploring. There is also a gift shop that has some of the original apparel, books and some fun reproductions.
Although we asked how long Luna Luna would be in LA, we really didn’t get a definite answer. We also wondered if it would be travelling to other parts of the country. Again, the answers were vague. If you are interested in spending the day at Luna Luna, you can purchase tickets at lunaluna.com. The tickets are not expensive, from $25.00 to $40.00. However if you want to go into the Dalidome, inside Hockney’s Tree House, or several other attractions, you will need to purchase a Moon Pass. Not sure of the price but if you want the full effect, it might be worth it. The venue is located at:
1601 East 6th Street Los Angeles.
Enjoy!
XO
Wendy