Lucas Museum of Narrative Art explained

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Coordinates:34.0162°N -118.2908°W
Established:2014
Location:Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California, United States
Type:Art museum
Publictransit: Expo/Vermont

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is a museum founded by filmmaker George Lucas and his wife, businesswoman Mellody Hobson.[1] Once completed, the museum will hold all forms of visual storytelling, including painting, photography, sculpture, illustration, comic art, performance, and video. It is under construction in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, California.[2] The museum is expected to open in 2025.[3]

Collections

The Lucas Museum will house works by artists such as Judy Baca, N.C. Wyeth, Carrie Mae Weems, Diego Rivera, Norman Rockwell, Frank Frazetta, Ralph McQuarrie, Jacob Lawrence, Kadir Nelson, Paul Cadmus, Yinka Shonibare, and Jack Kirby.[4] [5] In 2021, the museum announced the acquisition of the archive of materials related to the development and execution of Judy Baca's half-mile-long mural The History of California, popularly known as the Great Wall of Los Angeles, located in the San Fernando Valley.[6] Also in 2021, the museum acquired Robert Colescott's painting George Washington Carver Crossing the Delaware River: Page from an American History Textbook, a work the director and CEO Sandra Jackson-Dumont says "bridges popular culture and history. It's a wonderful opportunity for us to make sure the Lucas Museum is participating in expanding canon.[7] "

In 2019, the museum acquired the Separate Cinema Archive, which includes posters, lobby cards, film stills, scripts, and other artifacts that track the history of African American cinema from 1904 to contemporary era. In total, the archive contains about 37,000 objects. Dorothy Dandridge, Paul Robeson, Duke Ellington, Sidney Poitier, and Josephine Baker are among the stars whose work is documented in the collection. A statement by museum CEO Sandra Jackson-Dumont said "The Separate Cinema Archive will not only provide film scholars with incredible opportunities for research, this treasure trove will also catalyze important conversations about the inspiring narratives of African American perspectives represented through film."[8] [9]

History

The first president of the museum was Don Bacigalupi, former president of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. He stepped down from this role in early 2019.[10] [11] In October 2019, Sandra Jackson-Dumont was announced as director and CEO.[12]

Proposed San Francisco site

To be known as the Lucas Cultural Arts Museum, it was originally planned for San Francisco, on Crissy Field. This version of the museum would have held Lucas's art collection, which is estimated to be worth approximately $1 billion.[13] After four years of unsuccessful negotiations with The Presidio Trust over the land in San Francisco, Lucas announced that Chicago would host the museum instead, due in interest from the city's mayor, Rahm Emanuel, and the promise of land on the shore of Lake Michigan.[14] [15] [16] The museum would lease the land from the Chicago Park District for $1 a year.[17] Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti also made a bid to host the project, offering Lucas land in Exposition Park adjacent to the University of Southern California.[1] Lucas, however, looked to Chicago as the location to build his museum. Youngstown Mayor John McNally had also proposed to Lucas to locate the museum in Youngstown, Ohio, offering donated land in the city's downtown.[18] [19]

Proposed Chicago site

In Chicago, the proposed site on a parking lot near Soldier Field, Burnham Harbor, and the Museum Campus was chosen by a Chicago city commission.[20] After the formal announcement of the museum's location on Chicago's lake shore and the later unveiling of its architecture, the project faced opposition as it had in San Francisco. In an editorial, the Chicago Tribune condemned the size of the structure, referring to it as "a monument to its patron rather than a modest addition to a democratic public space". The Chicago plan called for a museum building roughly four times the size of the one that had been planned in San Francisco, though that size was later scaled back.[21] The Tribune also expressed worries about the cost of maintenance, to be absorbed by taxpayers, and the damage to the preservation of the lakefront.

Friends of the Parks, a Chicago-area preservation organization, opposed the plan, citing a ban on development on the land proposed for the Lucas Museum. It filed a federal suit to block the development, arguing that granting the museum a 99-year lease "effectively surrenders control" of prime lakefront property to a museum that is "not for the benefit of the public" but would "promote private and/or commercial interests".[22] In March 2015, U.S. District Judge John Darrah ruled the land intended for the museum is held in public trust. Thus, the Illinois General Assembly is the only body with the power to amend the law and allow construction to proceed.[23] The state subsequently approved a law designed to enable such projects,[24] and the Chicago City Council approved zoning.[25] while the Chicago Park District approved a long-term lease and litigation ensued.[26] [27] [28]

MAD architects, headed by Ma Yansong, was responsible for designing a building for the Chicago site, while VOA Associates was designated to oversee construction. Studio Gang Architects, already involved in the rehabilitation of Northerly Island, was selected to design the landscape.[29] [30] The design was met with some criticism upon release. Blair Kamin of the Chicago Tribune called the structure "needlessly massive" and called for a "dose of restraint" to preserve the lakefront.[31] In Crain's Chicago Business, Greg Hinz derided it as "[yelling] and [carrying] on, in its own way defacing the city's lakefront as much as any teenager with a can of spray paint...".[32] Revised plans were released in September 2015, which scaled back on the size of the project but otherwise kept the basic design.[33]

Criticism also has been leveled against Friends of the Parks for its opposition to the project; a project that would have converted a stadium parking lot to a cultural attraction along with additional parkland, and also directly and indirectly provide millions of dollars annually to the host city.[34] In May 2016, Bill Kurtis wrote an op-ed in support of the Lucas Museum which appeared in the Chicago Tribune.[35]

On May 3, 2016, a statement released by Mellody Hobson, wife of George Lucas, stated that the couple was seeking other cities to host the museum after a protracted confrontation with Friends of the Parks.[36] On June 24, 2016, Lucas announced that the museum would not be located in Chicago.[37] [38]

Los Angeles site

After unsuccessful negotiations in San Francisco and Chicago, in June 2016 museum officials announced that they were considering Los Angeles.[39] George Lucas announced on January 10, 2017, that the museum would be built in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, California, citing the proximity of University of Southern California, his alma mater, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, BMO Stadium, other museums, and local schools in the South Los Angeles region.[40]

The building was designed by Ma Yansong of Chinese architecture firm MAD Architects (MAD Studio) and architect of record Stantec.[41] The museum's nearly 300,000 square-foot building will be five levels and include 100,000 square-feet of dedicated gallery space, a library, dedicated learning studios, two theaters, a restaurant, a café, and an event space, and will sit on 11 acres of new park space designed by landscape architecture firm Studio-MLA.[42]

Construction

Construction prep began in January 2018. Hathaway Dinwiddie is the general contractor.[43] [44] The groundbreaking ceremony took place on March 14, 2018.[45] [46] [47] The museum was originally set to open in 2021, but the opening was pushed to 2023 due to delays associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.[48] In 2022, the opening was pushed again, to 2025.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lucas Museum Called 'Huge Plus for City,' 'Upside-down Snow Cone' at Forum.. Matthews. David. 29 September 2015. DNA Info. English. 15 February 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160223154521/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150929/south-loop/lucas-museum-called-huge-plus-for-city-upside-down-snow-cone-at-forum.html. February 23, 2016. mdy-all.
  2. Web site: Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. 2015. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. 11 March 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150311012723/http://www.lucasmuseum.org/. March 11, 2015. mdy-all.
  3. Web site: L.A.'s Lucas Museum Pushes Opening To 2025. . September 20, 2022 .
  4. Web site: Lucas Museum Adds Diego Rivera, Paul Cadmus, Yinka Shonibare.
  5. Web site: The Art Of Storytelling.
  6. Web site: Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Acquires 'Great Wall' Archive. . March 31, 2021 .
  7. Web site: Lucas Museum Acquires Record-Shattering $15.3 M. Robert Colescott Painting. May 13, 2021 .
  8. Web site: With One Major Acquisition, George Lucas's New Museum Just Became a Key Destination for African American Film History. January 15, 2020. artnet News. en-US. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200427045526/https://news.artnet.com/art-world/lucas-museum-acquires-separate-cinema-archive-1753629. April 27, 2020. April 27, 2020.
  9. Web site: Lucas Museum Acquires African American Film History Archive. lucasmuseum.org. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200427045359/https://lucasmuseum.org/news/lucas-museum-acquires-african-american-film-history-archive-separate-cinema-plus-collaborative-film-program-with-lacma. April 27, 2020. April 27, 2020.
  10. Web site: Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Announces President . architectmagazine.com. March 31, 2020.
  11. Web site: The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. lucasmuseum.org. March 31, 2020.
  12. Web site: L.A.'s Lucas Museum Finds CEO. The Hollywood Reporter. October 30, 2019 . en. December 2, 2019.
  13. News: George Lucas pitches a San Francisco art museum . Holly . Bailey . Yahoo! News . June 14, 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20131230085039/http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/filmmaker-curator-george-lucas-pitches-san-francisco-art-145650551.html . December 30, 2013 . mdy-all.
  14. News: Chicago to Vie for George Lucas' Museum . Harris, Melissa . Chicago Tribune . April 10, 2014 . May 20, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140413130728/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-george-lucas-museum-confidential-harris-0410-bi-20140410,0,4366334.column . April 13, 2014 . mdy-all.
  15. Erdman, Shelby Lin (June 25, 2014). "Chicago Beats Out San Francisco for New George Lucas Museum", CNN. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  16. News: Sneed. Michael. Sneed Scoop: Chicago Lands George Lucas Museum. June 25, 2014. Chicago Sun-Time. https://web.archive.org/web/20141107035736/http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/sneed-exclusive-chicago-get-george-lucas-museum/tue-06242014-346pm-1. November 7, 2014 . June 26, 2016.
  17. Geiger, Kim (November 12, 2014). "Parks Group to Sue over Lakefront Site for Lucas Museum", Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  18. Web site: Youngstown mayor invites George Lucas to build museum downtown. May 20, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160521121321/http://www.wfmj.com/story/32022945/youngstown-mayor-invites-george-lucas-to-build-museum-downtown. May 21, 2016. mdy-all.
  19. Web site: City Officials Have Star (Wars) in Their Eyes. May 20, 2016 . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160522142148/http://businessjournaldaily.com/city-chamber-officials-have-star-wars-in-their-eyes/. May 22, 2016. mdy-all.
  20. Web site: George Lucas didn't choose this controversial museum site; we did. June 14, 2016 .
  21. Web site: Keep George Lucas' museum off Chicago's lakefront. Editorial Board. 7 November 2014. Chicago Tribune. English. March 12, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150308153825/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-lucas-museum-edit-1109-20141107-story.html. March 8, 2015. mdy-all.
  22. Web site: Rahm plan: Demolish McCormick Place East, put Lucas Museum there. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160510114113/http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/rahm-plan-demolish-mccormick-place-east-put-lucas-museum-there/. May 10, 2016. mdy-all.
  23. Web site: Will Judge's Ruling Send Lucas Museum to a Site Far, Far Away? - Museum Battles - Curbed Chicago. Sisson. Patrick. March 13, 2015. Curbed. Vox Media (Curbed). English. March 13, 2015. live. https://archive.today/20150315031753/http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2015/03/13/will-judges-ruling-send-lucas-museum-to-a-site-far-far-away.php. March 15, 2015. mdy-all.
  24. Web site: Lawmakers Approve Bill on Obama Library, Lucas Museum. NBC Chicago. April 23, 2015 . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150926042628/http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Lawmakers-Fast-Track-Bill-on-Obama-Library-Lucas-Museum-301081241.html. September 26, 2015. mdy-all.
  25. Web site: 'Star Wars' creator George Lucas wins approval for Chicago art museum. Aaron. Smith. October 30, 2015. CNNMoney. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20151106030643/http://money.cnn.com/2015/10/30/media/lucas-museum-chicago-star-wars. November 6, 2015. mdy-all.
  26. News: Lucas Museum put on hold again . Chicago Daily Law Bulletin . February 4, 2016 . February 6, 2016 . Manson, Patricia . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160211054317/http://www.chicagolawbulletin.com/museum-2-4-16.aspx . February 11, 2016 . mdy-all.
  27. Web site: How public? Lucas case may hinge on interpretation of legal landmark. November 9, 2015. Chicago Tribune. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20151110104316/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-lucas-museum-public-trust-doctrine-met-20151108-story.html. November 10, 2015. mdy-all.
  28. Web site: Judge deals setback to Lucas Museum, denies motion to dismiss lawsuit. O'Connell, Patrick M.. February 4, 2016. Chicago Tribune. February 6, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205155134/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-lucas-museum-hearing-met-20160203-story.html. February 5, 2016. mdy-all.
  29. Web site: Studio Gang And MAD Architects To Design George Lucas' Museum Of Narrative Art . Neamt. Ioana. July 30, 2014. Commercial Property Executive. English. March 11, 2015.
  30. Web site: Museum Design. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. English. March 12, 2015.
  31. Web site: Lucas Museum design an architectural mountain on city's lakefront. Kamin. Blair. November 3, 2014. Chicago Tribune. English. March 12, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150310084044/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-lucas-museum-kamin-met-1104-20141103-column.html. March 10, 2015. mdy-all.
  32. Web site: Lucas Museum rolls out a design R2-D2 would pan. Hinz. Greg. November 3, 2014. Crain's Chicago Business. English. March 12, 2015.
  33. Web site: Scaled-back Lucas museum plans may put lawsuit in jeopardy. O'Connell, Patrick M.. September 10, 2015. chicagotribune.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20151106094444/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-lucas-museum-new-plans-met-20150910-story.html. November 6, 2015. mdy-all.
  34. Web site: In Lucas Museum fight, preservationists are protecting parking lots. Harris. Melissa. March 23, 2015. Chicago Tribune. English. March 24, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150323181719/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-confidential-lucas-museum-0322-biz-20150320-column.html. March 23, 2015. mdy-all.
  35. Web site: Bill Kurtis op-ed: Lucas Museum would further Chicago's lakefront mission. Chicago Tribune. May 11, 2016. chicagotribune.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160512105652/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-lucas-museum-bill-kurtis-lakefront-perspec-0512-md-20160511-story.html. May 12, 2016. mdy-all.
  36. Web site: Lucas Museum's Chicago Plan Now Appears Dead. CBS Chicago. May 3, 2016 . May 4, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160504140313/http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/05/03/lucas-museums-chicago-plan-now-appears-dead/. May 4, 2016. mdy-all.
  37. O'Connell, Patrick M.; Ruthhart, Bill (June 24, 2016). "Lucas Museum Drops Plan to Build in Chicago", Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  38. Bentle, Kyle; Berlin, Jonathon; Brinson, Jemal R. (June 15, 2016; updated June 24, 2016). "The Saga of the Lucas Museum", Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  39. News: Ng. David. George Lucas abandons Chicago, will build new museum in California. July 18, 2016. Los Angeles Times. 24 June 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160720033654/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-george-lucas-museum-california-20160615-snap-story.html. July 20, 2016. mdy-all.
  40. Web site: Los Angeles will be home to George Lucas' $1-billion museum. January 10, 2017 . LA Times. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170117180121/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-la-wins-lucas-museum-20170110-htmlstory.html. January 17, 2017. mdy-all.
  41. Web site: Case Information & Documents - Los Angeles City Planning. planning.lacity.org. January 17, 2019.
  42. Web site: Durón. Maximilíano. July 9, 2020. Top L.A. Curators Pilar Tompkins-Rivas, Amanda Hunt Head to Hotly Anticipated Lucas Museum. January 6, 2021. ARTnews.com. en-US.
  43. Web site: September 16, 2019. Lucas Museum Construction Putting Our L.A. Residents to Work. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180215092105/http://www.hdcco.com/project-types/current-projects/. February 15, 2018. August 31, 2020. Los Angeles Sentinel. mdy-all.
  44. Web site: Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Construction - Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction. Lucas Museum Construction.
  45. Web site: It's Official: The Lucas Museum is Under Construction . March 14, 2018 . March 21, 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180321192756/https://urbanize.la/post/its-official-lucas-museum-under-construction . March 21, 2018 . mdy-all.
  46. News: Morning Links: Looted Coffin Edition . Morning Links: Looted Coffin Edition . March 15, 2019 . . February 18, 2019.
  47. Web site: About the Museum. July 2, 2021 . Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.
  48. Web site: Lucas Museum pushes opening to 2023 as COVID-19 protocols slow construction. . April 2021 .

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