George Lucas previewed the long-in-the-works Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles on Wednesday, and Lucas said of the Herculean effort, “I’m fascinated by doing things that people say can’t be done.” “I’m used to doing the impossible,” said the “Star Wars” creator, who, along with his wife Mellody Hobson, has been working on the museum concept for 17 years. I’m fascinated by doing things that people say can’t be done. This one almost broke my will.” In addition to a gallery packed with life-sized props from Star Wars movies, the 300,000 square foot spaceship-like museum next to the L.A.
Memorial Coliseum features more than 30 galleries packed with Lucas’ collection of narrative art — from an extensive collection of Norman Rockwell paintings to works by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Maxfield Parrish and Frank Frazetta, to rooms of photography, comic book art and Western paintings and sculptures. For Lucas, art and culture are inextricably combined. Check out some of the movie-themed pieces at the museum, which opens to the public Sept. 22.
Founders George Lucas and Mellody Hobson preview the museum for the media. General Grievous’ wheel bike from “Revenge of the Sith” Mace Windu’s costume from “The Phantom Menace” is displayed with Owen Lars’ swoop bike from “Attack of the Clones.” The Imperial speeder bike from “Return of the Jedi” with Princess Leia as an Endor rebel Sith speeder with Darth Maul from “The Phantom Menace” Princess Leia and an illustration of Cloud City from “The Empire Strikes Back” Costumes from “A New Hope” and “Attack of the Clones” Darth Vader’s costume from “Revenge of the Sith” Anakin’s airspeeer from “Attack of the Clones” Stunt costume for Batman — “The Dark Knight” and “The Dark Knight Rises” An Indiana Jones statue by Lawrence Noble “Shadows in the Moonlight” — Conan the Barbarian art by Sanjulian (Manuel Perez Clemente) An original costume from 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz” On the first floor, digital and physical art from the Renaissance and beyond portrays heroes, myths and the sacred. Downtown Los Angeles seen from the fifth floor of the Lucas Museum The bookstore and gift shop include Star Wars-themed items and books on the artists represented in the museum.
The distinctive shape of the building creates an undulating shaded area in front of the lobby. The building resembles a UFO as seen from the gardens.
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