Luna Luna, the world’s first art amusement park, is heading to the Shed in Hudson Yards, New York for a limited time this autumn.
Following a successful debut run in Los Angeles, Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy will open in New York on 20 November with vintage carnival attractions by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Salvador Dalí, David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein and more.
Highlights include Basquiat’s Ferris wheel, a carousel by Haring, a wave swinger by Kenny Scharf, a wedding chapel by André Heller, and immersive pavilions by Hockney, Dalí and Lichtenstein.
The brainchild of Austrian artist Andé Heller, Luna Luna originally opened in Hamburg, Germany for just seven weeks in 1987. A world tour was planned, but instead the park’s treasures were stored in shipping containers in Texas for more than 30 years.
That is until they were located by entrepreneur Michael Goldberg – now Luna Luna’s chief experience officer – and purchased by musician Drake. The new Luna Luna team then spent two years restoring the rides and attractions, before debuting them in LA.
“You can be art-obsessed or have never heard of Basquiat, and Luna Luna will put a smile on your face. It’s one of those rare projects that has the power to bring together all walks of life – it’s a nostalgic format done in a totally new way,” said Goldberg.
Vintage carnival attractions at Luna Luna
Alex Poots, the Shed’s artistic director, said guests will see “visionary works by some of the leading artists of our times, all in the enticing and spirited format of an amusement park“.
“The Shed’s state-of-the-art spaces can create the wondrous setting to transport audiences to the enchanting world of Luna Luna, where each visitor can have their own magical experience,” Poots added.
The New York show will include the restored rides and attractions, as well as new commissions and performances. It runs through 5 January 2025.
Images courtesy of Luna Luna
