Throughout art history, there is a chapter that transcends the conventional boundaries of galleries and museums—a chapter written with bold strokes of creativity and amusement.
Thirty-six years ago, the world saw the birth of Luna Luna, an art amusement park located in the heart of Hamburg, Germany. This groundbreaking venture, curated by Austrian artist André Heller, brought together some of the most visionary minds of contemporary art, such as the likes of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and David Hockney.
The wonderland of Luna Luna unfolded from June 4 to August 31, 1987, inviting visitors into an open-air museum where art blended with the exhilaration of an amusement park. Heller, who had received a $500,000 grant from the German magazine Neue Revue, embarked on a mission to create a modern art terrain—a departure from the centuries-old traditions of the fairground.
A fascinating combination of artistic genius and childhood nostalgia, Luna Luna became a canvas for 32 artists to unleash their imagination. Heller's refusal to succumb to corporate overtures, including a tempting offer from McDonald's, solidified Luna Luna's commitment to being anything but a commercialised Disneyland. Instead, it stood as a testament to the artists' willingness to revisit their own childhoods and create a fantastical playground for the world.
The artists each paid a humble $10,000 and embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. Their diverse creations included a walk-in "shadow room" by Georg Baselitz, a musical "enchanted tree" by David Hockney, and a boldly colored glass labyrinth by Roy Lichtenstein. Keith Haring added his iconic touch to a carousel featuring seats shaped like cartoon characters, while Jean-Michel Basquiat crafted a Ferris wheel adorned with his distinctive drawings, including the rear end of a baboon.
Behind the scenes, a team of specialists in Vienna diligently transformed the artists' visions into reality. The result? Thirty captivating attractions, each with its own unique charm. Kenny Scharf's comic sculptures and a vibrantly painted circus wagon by August Walla added layers of whimsy to Luna Luna's kaleidoscopic landscape.
Music, an integral part of the experience, accompanied each attraction. Philip Glass composed the ethereal soundtrack for Lichtenstein's Glass Labyrinth, while Karajan conducted the Berlin Philharmonic for Hockney's Enchanted Tree. Basquiat, ever the music enthusiast, selected Miles Davis's "Tutu" as the soundtrack for his Ferris wheel.
As Luna Luna unfolded its magic, it paid tribute to the late Joseph Beuys with a manifesto drawn up by the artist himself. André Heller, not just a curator but an active participant, contributed his own works, including a "wedding pavilion" and a "head-through-the-wall booth."
The saga of Luna Luna reached its crescendo in 1987, leaving a lasting mark on the art world. Heller immortalised the amusement park in a book aptly titled "Luna Luna," featuring all the attractions and adorned with a cover that bore a moon drawn by the participating artists, accompanied by a sentence of their choosing.
And yet, Luna Luna's tale took an unexpected turn. Sealed within 44 shipping containers, its treasures lay forgotten in the expanses of Texas until a serendipitous discovery breathed new life into the fantasy. Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy, a global tour that happened earlier this year, unlocks the containers, offering an exclusive glimpse into the most fantastical fairground the world has ever known.
Take a look at our Luna Luna inspired viewing room here.
Main Image: Keith Haring, Painted Carousel at Luna Luna