Latest news with #LucasMuseum
Time Out
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
George Lucas gave a sneak peek of the Lucas Museum at Comic-Con
The Force was strong in San Diego over the weekend as George Lucas made his Comic-Con debut. The Star Wars creator joined Oscar-winning artist and Lucasfilm senior vice president Doug Chiang, Oscar-winning filmmaker and Lucas Museum board member Guillermo del Toro and panel moderator Queen Latifah to talk about what Angelenos—and the scores of people the museum will undoubtedly draw to L.A.—have to look forward to from the eagerly awaited Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. 'We're here today because my dear friend Goerge wanted to create a space where anyone could come and be inspired by the same art that inspired him,' Queen Latifah said to introduce Lucas. And while it was light on concrete details (like a specific opening date), the panel featured an interesting discussion of the upcoming museum that drew over 6,000 to Hall H on the final day of this year's Comic-Con. The creative minds assembled talked about the importance of narrative art—which 'tells the story of a society' and its common beliefs, according to Lucas—and shared some of the highlights of the museum's collection. Speaking to the Comic-Con crowd about the mission of the museum, Lucas explained that he's worked with hundreds of illustrators in his career, but lamented the fact that they don't receive enough recognition. To that end, he said his museum will be 'a temple to the people's art.' On his part, Chiang said he hopes that the Lucas Museum 'will inspire the next Norman Rockwell or Frank Frazetta.' And now for a bit of background on the museum itself. By now you're likely familiar with the verdant spaceship that's landed in Exposition Park between the Natural History Museum and the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. The curvaceous building topped with solar panels and gardens adds something decidedly different to L.A.'s architectural scene. Work on the $1-billion museum first broke ground in March 2018 after Los Angeles was chosen as the museum's home (San Francisco and Chicago were the other contenders). But due to delays including pandemic-related supply-chain issues, the opening date has been pushed back from 2021 to 2022 to 2023 to 2025 to finally (fingers crossed!) 2026. Situated on 11 acres, once it's completed the five-story, 300,000-square-foot museum will feature not only gallery space but two state-of-the-art theaters, as well as classrooms, a library, dining options and a gift shop. Outside, the lush landscaping is a draw unto itself—the green spaces will double as a public park open to all, no ticket needed. Inside the galleries, you'll find more than an institutionalized shrine to Star Wars, as might be expected. In fact, the 'Narrative Art' part of the museum's moniker reflects a collection Lucas has been amassing for the past 50 years, made up of tens of thousands of artworks that reflect the importance of illustrated storytelling. So you'll find pieces by Norman Rockwell, Frida Kahlo, Jack Kirby, R. Crumb, Beatrix Potter, N.C. Wyeth, photographer Dorothea Lange and more modern names like cartoonist Alison Bechdel all under the same roof—in short, something for everyone. Some recently announced collection highlights include the first-ever Flash Gordon comic strip, an original splash page from Black Panther (1968) and original Peanuts strips from the 1950s and '60s.
Jordan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Jordan Times
George Lucas brings the force to Comic-Con in historic first visit
SAN DIEGO — Comic-Con fans pulled out their lightsabers on Sunday to welcome "Star Wars" creator George Lucas to the prominent pop culture convention for the very first time. Attendees lined up for hours to grab a seat inside the 6,500-person capacity venue in San Diego, California to see the legendary filmmaker behind the "Indiana Jones" franchise speak at the event on its final day. Comic-Con, which draws some 130,000 attendees, has become an important platform for movie studios and their stars to showcase the latest film and television offerings, especially those with a genre fan base. "We've been waiting five decades for this!" said panel moderator Queen Latifah, who oversaw the discussion by Lucas and other filmmakers. Instead of discussing his film works, however, Lucas graced the convention to preview the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art -- opening in Los Angeles in 2026 -- which the director co-founded with his wife, businesswoman Mellody Hobson. "I've been collecting art since I was in college," Lucas, 81, told the crowd, adding that he has amassed tens of thousands of pieces in his collection. "I've been doing this for 50 years now, and then it occurred to me that what am I going to do with it all because I, I refuse to sell it. "I could never do that, it's just, it's not what I think art is -- I think it's more about an emotional connection," the director said. In his description of the museum, Lucas said the institution will feature a blend of works. They include illustrations by Normal Rockwell, Jessie Willcox Smith and N.C. Wyeth; artworks by Frida Kahlo, Jacob Lawrence, Charles White and Robert Colescott; and pieces by cartoonists and artists like Winsor McCay, Frank Frazetta and Jack Kirby. "This is sort of a temple to the people's art," he said in summation. The museum, housed in a sleek, curved building, will also feature items from Lucas's films and other exclusive pieces. For the "Star Wars" mastermind, the museum aims to be a tribute to the importance of narrative art. "When you're born, the baseline is fear. And as you go through life, you're curious about things, but you're especially curious about things you don't understand, and therefore that's a threat to you. "And as a result, you make up stories to make it feel good," he continued. "Science fiction is a myth... but we've made it real because of science fiction books and art." 'A critical moment' Among the other members of the panel were Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro and production designer Doug Chiang, who shaped the aesthetic of the "Star Wars" universe for decades. "What's remarkable about George is that he leads from the heart, and this museum is him," Chiang said. Del Toro, who will release his latest film "Frankenstein" in November, said many of the museum's pieces will celebrate freedom of speech. "We are in a critical moment in which one of the things they like to disappear is the past, you know, and this is memorialising a popular, vociferous, expressive and eloquent moment in our visual past that belongs to all of us," Del Toro said. The fantasy filmmaker also described comics as a medium with "a lot of social conscience" and joked that comic artists "were the first one to punch a Nazi" in their works. "What a panel!" said attendee Jesse Goldwater, who traveled to San Diego from Los Angeles. "They are the embodiment of Comic-Con itself, without them Comic-Con wouldn't exist."
Geek Tyrant
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
George Lucas Makes First Comic-Con Appearance, Unveils His Vision for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art — GeekTyrant
Hall H was packed on Sunday morning at Comic-Con as George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars , made his first-ever appearance onstage at the massive geek event. Joining him were three-time Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro and Academy Award-winning production designer Doug Chiang for an event that felt like a major post-COVID milestone for Comic-Con. The trio was there to share an exciting glimpse of the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, and fans were treated to an exclusive first look at what Lucas calls a 'temple to the people's art.' The panel was moderated Queen Latifah, who kept the energy lively as these creative titans shared the story behind the ambitious museum project, set to open next year near the USC campus in downtown Los Angeles. 'It's a temple to the people's art,' Lucas said about the stunning Mobius-strip-inspired building designed by architect Ma Yansong. The museum will act as a cultural epicenter for storytelling art in all its forms. Lucas explained that one of his driving motivations for creating the museum was very personal: 'I refused to sell it,' said Lucas, referring to the massive collection he's built since his youth, ranging from comic books to thrifted pieces of art. With more than 40,000 pieces in his personal archive, Lucas wanted a space where this work could be appreciated for its emotional resonance: '(Art) is more about a connection and emotional connection with the work, not how much it cost or what celebrity did it. I don't think it's anything anyone will tell you. If you have emotional connection, it's art. If you don't, just move onto the next painting.' As a board member of the museum, Guillermo del Toro spoke passionately about its importance. After surviving the recent Los Angeles fires, the filmmaker revealed he's also looking at the museum as a safe home for his own personal art collection. He emphasized the universal role of myth in human culture: 'We realize that stories shape the world,' says del Toro. 'One of the narrative branches brutally applied is propaganda. Art is celebrating the work of incredible people, but also is celebrating the thing that belongs to us: Myth, belongs to us. Propaganda belongs to a very small group. Myth unites us and propaganda divides us.' Meanwhile, Chiang, who has worked on Star Wars: Episodes I–III and as production designer on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story , The Mandalorian , Ahsoka , and Skeleton Crew , praised the museum for elevating art forms that have long been overlooked: 'It's giving respect to an artform that hasn't been honored before.' Chiang credited comic books as the spark that ignited his creative journey, though, at the time, they weren't respected in the art world. Lucas, he added, taught him that every piece of art needs a story behind it. His hope for the museum is simple yet profound: 'I hope this museum inspires the next Norman Rockwell or Frank Frazetta.' Fans in Hall H were treated to an exclusive sizzle reel narrated by Star Wars legend Samuel L. Jackson, offering a sneak peek at the incredible treasures the museum will showcase. Among the highlights: The General Grievous bike Luke Skywalker's landspeeder from the original Star Wars Anakin Skywalker's podracer from The Phantom Menace Concept art by Star Wars visionary Ralph McQuarrie These pieces will be part of the cinema gallery, just one of 30 to 40 planned galleries in the museum. But this isn't just a Star Wars showcase. Visitors can expect a stunning variety of works, including: Paintings by Frida Kahlo and Norman Rockwell Original comic art by R. Crumb and Jack Kirby The first character drawing of Flash Gordon (1934) Original Peanuts strips from the 1950s and 1960s The first Iron Man cover drawing from 1968 The original Black Panther pen-and-ink splash (1968) Lucas spoke with reverence about Rockwell's iconic Freedom From Want painting, saying; 'Family is important, it keeps society together, even if it's tough.' He added that family is one of the core reasons behind building the museum. One cool detail about the Lucas Museum is its design, the building has no right angles, only curves. This design choice symbolizes something essential to Lucas's vision: Art is endless. It outlives us, connects generations, and keeps our myths alive. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art isn't just a building. It's a declaration that the art we grew up loving such as comics, concept art, film design, illustration, is every bit as culturally significant as any masterpiece in a traditional museum. And if this Comic-Con panel is any indication, Lucas is about to give pop culture the cathedral it deserves.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
George Lucas Makes His First Ever Comic-Con Appearance
George Lucas might be more responsible for the kind of fandom found at San Diego Comic-Con than any other single filmmaker. In the 48 years since 'Star Wars,' film franchises have been folded into the SDCC vibes, taking the event far beyond the comic books for which it was established. 'Star Wars' itself has very quickly ventured into the comic realm after its 1977 release, and the big-time fans that the film birthed are the kind that buy tickets to the cascade of con panels annually. So, suffice to say, Lucas' very first ever appearance at Comic-Con was a hot ticket, though he appeared not to discuss his career or the legacy of 'Star Wars' nor his thoughts on the Disney spin-offs or his early classic 'American Graffiti' or producing 'Indiana Jones.' Instead, Lucas was previewing his long in development museum, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, which is set to open next year — a one-year delay from its original schedule. At the panel, held on July 27 and moderated by Queen Latifah, Lucas called the museum 'a temple to the people's art.' More from IndieWire 'It' Is Back and Derry-er Than Ever: HBO Series Is the Latest in Stephen King Cinematic Universe A Casting Director Asked Steve Buscemi 'What Is Wrong with You?' in Massive Audition Fail 'I think it's more about a connection — an emotional connection — with the work, not how much it cost or what celebrity did it or whatever,' Lucas said at the panel.' It's more a personal thing, and I don't think it's anything that anybody else can tell you, 'That's art, that's not.' It doesn't work that way. If you have an emotional connection, then that's art.' The museum, located in Los Angeles' Exposition Park — will be — according to its website — 'an 11-acre campus with extensive new green space' that will feature a 300,000-square-foot building with 'expansive galleries, two state-of-the-art theaters, and dedicated spaces for learning and engagement, dining, retail, and events.' At the panel, Lucas showcased several pieces that will be part of the opening exhibits (via DiscussingFilm), including drawings from the original 'Iron Man' comic, a 'Black Panther' ink splash, vintage 'Peanuts' sketches, the first 1934 drawing of the character Flash Gordon, concept art for Indiana Jones, Frida Kahlo paintings, and a life-size Naboo starfighter, among many other items. 'I've been collecting art since I was in college and when I was in college which was sort of near the Stone Age, I couldn't really afford real art,' Lucas explained, appearing alongside fellow storytellers, filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and film designer Doug Chiang. 'I love all art no matter what it is. But I could afford comic art because in those days it was underground.' The museum will also have two theaters, a library, an event space, and 33 galleries, including one of exhibit that will include the earliest forms of narrative art: the mythological Greek, Roman, and Egyptian gods. The new venture is the kind of bold swing that only a true original, like Lucas, would make — highlighting, he said, the unsung storytellers. As he explained, 'Just from my experience of making movies and things, that other people's opinions don't mean much,' he explained. 'The only thing that really means something is what you do and what you feel about it.' Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie Nicolas Winding Refn's Favorite Films: 37 Movies the Director Wants You to See Solve the daily Crossword
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
George Lucas brings the force to Comic-Con in historic first visit
Comic-Con fans pulled out their lightsabers Sunday to welcome Star Wars creator George Lucas to the prominent pop culture convention for the very first time. Attendees lined up for hours to grab a seat inside the 6,500-person capacity venue in San Diego, California to see the legendary filmmaker behind the Indiana Jones franchise speak at the event on its final day. Comic-Con, which draws some 130,000 attendees, has become an important platform for movie studios and their stars to showcase the latest film and television offerings, especially those with a genre fan base. "We've been waiting five decades for this!" said panel moderator Queen Latifah, who oversaw the discussion by Lucas and other filmmakers. Instead of discussing his film works, however, Lucas graced the convention to preview the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art — opening in Los Angeles in 2026 — which the director co-founded with his wife, businesswoman Mellody Hobson. "I've been collecting art since I was in college," Lucas, 81, told the crowd, adding that he has amassed tens of thousands of pieces in his collection. "I've been doing this for 50 years now, and then it occurred to me that what am I going to do with it all because I, I refuse to sell it. "I could never do that, it's just, it's not what I think art is — I think it's more about an emotional connection," the director said. In his description of the museum, Lucas said the institution will feature a blend of works. They include illustrations by Normal Rockwell, Jessie Willcox Smith and NC Wyeth; artworks by Frida Kahlo, Jacob Lawrence, Charles White and Robert Colescott; and pieces by cartoonists and artists like Winsor McCay, Frank Frazetta and Jack Kirby. "This is sort of a temple to the people's art," he said in summation. The museum, housed in a sleek, curved building, will also feature items from Lucas's films and other exclusive pieces. For the Star Wars mastermind, the museum aims to be a tribute to the importance of narrative art. "When you're born, the baseline is fear. And as you go through life, you're curious about things, but you're especially curious about things you don't understand, and therefore that's a threat to you. "And as a result, you make up stories to make it feel good," he continued. "Science fiction is a myth... but we've made it real because of science fiction books and art." 'A critical moment' Among the other members of the panel were Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro and production designer Doug Chiang, who shaped the aesthetic of the Star Wars universe for decades. "What's remarkable about George is that he leads from the heart, and this museum is him," Chiang said. Del Toro, who will release his latest film Frankenstein in November, said many of the museum's pieces will celebrate freedom of speech. "We are in a critical moment in which one of the things they like to disappear is the past, you know, and this is memorialising a popular, vociferous, expressive and eloquent moment in our visual past that belongs to all of us," Del Toro said. "What a panel!" said attendee Jesse Goldwater, who traveled to San Diego from Los Angeles. "They are the embodiment of Comic-Con itself, without them Comic-Con wouldn't exist."
