The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art has made its debut in Los Angeles with a star-studded opening gala ahead of the public launch tomorrow (22 September).
Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to visual storytelling, from prehistoric cave paintings to modern screen art.
Designed by MAD Architects founder Ma Yansong, it is housed in a 300,000-square-foot building situated on a new 13-acre campus in Exposition Park.
The cultural institution is home to works by artists including Jessie Willcox Smith, Norman Rockwell, Beatrix Potter, Alison Bechdel and Frida Kahlo.
The new museum's opening event was co-chaired by Julie Bell, Tom Cruise, Guillermo del Toro, Greta Gerwig, Lewis Hamilton, Jensen Huang, JR, Steven Spielberg and Pharrell Williams.
A programme hosted by Queen Latifah featured remarks from Lucas, Hobson and Ma, as well as the Lucas Museum's CEO Tracey Bates.
"Art is in the eye of the beholder," said Lucas. "If it is emotional to you, then it’s art... I believe it, wholeheartedly, that you get to decide what art is."
Hobson said: "I have seen George’s relentless energy, his refusal to compromise, his creative pain.
"I mean, this museum is a director’s cut. I call it a museum by the people for the people, he calls it a museum of the people’s art, the key word is 'people'."
The Lucas Museum is dedicated to visual storytelling, from prehistoric cave paintings to modern screen artLucas Museum
Guests were invited to explore the more than 30 galleries across the museum, before gathering on the fifth-floor rooftop for special entertainment.
This included a drone show featuring images from the museum's collection, introduced and narrated by Oprah Winfrey and Samuel L. Jackson.
"Thank you George for 50 years of collecting. Thank you for believing that illustration, comics, and narrative arts belong on the walls of something so incredible," said Bates.
"Thank you Mellody for making this dream a reality and for everything you have done for all of us."
