THE GEORGE LUCAS MUSEUM STRIKES BACK

The museum has seen multiple designs since the project was revealed in 2014. It was originally planned to be constructed in San Francisco, which then moved to Chicago, and was even completely cancelled. Despite these setbacks the museum has returned with the purpose to create a visual marvel that will inspire both fans of Lucas’ work and the general public.

Designer Ma Yansong from MAD Architects has released the design for the museum; a Star Wars-themed spectacle to be situated in LA's Exposition Park, close to the memorial coliseum sports stadium. The four-storey (35 metre) structure will cover 6-7 acres of green space, with the uniquely futuristic metal-coated façade sprouting trees and greenery from the rooftop. The surrounding park will also be redesigned into a thriving public park space that includes stunning water features and winding pathways. The park will seamlessly merge the museum with the landscape, allowing for it to look as though it has “landed on the site’s natural environment”, according to Lucas.

The structure will be made of two separate wings that will cover a pedestrian walkway, connected together on the fourth floor. The roof will be the central hub of the museum, featuring further exhibition space, a restaurant, and a stunning garden to be designed and installed by Studio-MLA who will also be in charge of designing the park. The interior will have a “space-like” influence, including tube elevator shafts and wide, cavernous spaces that look as though they have been pulled right out of Star Wars itself.

The ground floor and roof will be completely open to the public, measuring 27,870 square metres, and will include a research library, two theatres and classrooms, in addition to the exhibition spaces.

George Lucas joins in the museum's groundbreaking ceremony

“This is an art museum, but I’m also trying to position it as an anthropological museum,” said George Lucas in a statement. “It is my feeling that popular art is an insight into a society and what they aspire to; what they really want, what they really are — it is about telling the narrative of their story, their history and their belief system. I believe all kinds of art have a right to exist. I think it’s important to have a museum, that I used to jokingly say, supports all the orphan arts that nobody wants to see, but everybody loves. So that’s my dream for this.”

The museum will demonstrate the powerful influence of visual storytelling through the exhibition of over 10,000 paintings, illustrations, photography, films, animation, digital art and movie memorabilia. The collection of art is categorised under three headings: narrative art, cinematic art, and digital art, and is to be donated by George Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson. The collection is estimated to be worth at least $520 million AUD. The art included will feature works from acclaimed artists such as Howard Chandler Christy, N.C. Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish and Norman Rockwell.

“The Lucas Museum features a bold new architectural design and will be a one-of-a-kind gathering place to experience collections, films and exhibitions dedicated to the power of visual storytelling and the evolution of art and moving images,” states the museum on the official website. “The museum will present original work by world renowned and emerging artists, cutting-edge digital technologies, and daily film screenings in state-of-the-art theatres, as well as extraordinary educational opportunities for students of all ages.”

The museum is a not-for-profit initiative that will be funded purely by Lucas and his wife and aims to be not just a museum, but an experience for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy, especially those who rarely visit museums. Lucas wants visitors to experience narrative art; the stories and the moments in those stories that are captured by artists.

The project is expected to finish construction in 2021.