Hollywood Came Out In Full Force For Opening Of George Lucas’ Museum Of Narrative Art
George Lucas's Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts opened in Los Angeles on Saturday evening, attracting an unprecedented gathering of Hollywood's elite. The occasion was historic and significant, with Queen Latifah drawing parallels to world-renowned institutions like the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum, noting that such a major museum opening is extraordinarily rare. Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson had overcome years of scepticism, legal hurdles and administrative red tape to realise their vision, having previously attempted to establish the museum in San Francisco and Chicago before settling on Los Angeles.
The museum houses Lucas's collection of 40,000 pieces, grown from an initial $35 Alley Oop drawing, with a particular focus on narrative art and illustrations—forms often dismissed as unsuitable for serious artistic institutions. At the opening ceremony, Lucas reaffirmed his belief that the public should determine what constitutes art, whilst Hobson humorously noted that their family embraces "popcorn movies," defending the museum's popular appeal. The event was attended by an extraordinary roster of celebrities, including Steven Spielberg, Katy Perry, Leonardo DiCaprio, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, alongside architect Ma Yansong, who clarified that the building's design was inspired by a cloud rather than a spaceship.
- Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts opens in Los Angeles after years of obstacles
- Houses 40,000 pieces celebrating narrative art and illustrations as legitimate artistic forms
- Star-studded opening attended by major Hollywood figures and world leaders