Picture this: A nostalgic carnival with Ferris wheels, carousels, and mirror mazes but through the eyes of the biggest artists of the ‘80s and ‘90s. This is exactly the theme of the Luna Luna exhibit at The Shed in Hudson Yards. Luna Luna was an art project in the ‘80s that combined the works of major artists like Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, David Hockney, etc. The project was organized by Andre Heller, an Austrian impresario who wanted to use art and imagination to fight back against an “endangered world.” 

Michael Goldberg, an American businessman and creative director of the new and restored Luna Luna exhibit, was fascinated by the history of the collaborative works of all these artists. 

“When I first heard of it, I was immediately like, ‘What the hell is this? Why don’t I know about it.’” said Goldberg.

He decided that others should know and experience this period. To fund and have success in the restoration of the amusement park as an art exhibit, Goldberg received funding from multiple organizations, including Drake’s Dreamcrew. 

After the initial boom of the Luna Luna amusement park in Hamburg, Germany, the rides were lost to litigation and storage. There was meant to be a world tour after Hamburg, but it was canceled due to legal challenges. After the lawsuit, the park was put in large shipping containers and stored in Texas until it was found and bought by Dreamcrew.

The Shed in Hudson Yards claims they “produce and welcome innovative art and ideas, across all forms of creativity, to build a shared understanding of our rapidly changing world and a more equitable society.”

Luna Luna fits this exact description, it takes a nostalgic old-school carnival and transforms it through the eyes of some of the most creative people to ever live. It not only has amazing works of art, but it also utilizes light, music, and funny-looking mascots to catch the attention of showgoers and elevate the experience. 

One of my favorite attractions includes Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Ferris wheel (Figure 1). It catches your eye as soon as you walk into the exhibit as it is one of the only pieces that is mostly white, except for Basquiat’s signature figures. Every capsule of the Ferris wheel has a distinct piece of art: some depict a wood saw labeled “saw” and others a ham roast labeled “meat.” These simplistic paintings were not physically created with the artist’s hands but were made by separate small artists of the time who were given extremely detailed instructions by Basquiat. He was the only artist to not physically make his piece.

Another one of my favorites was Kenny Scharf’s swinging chair ride (Figure 2). It’s the first ride you see when walking into the exhibit, and it is also the one you can see on all the promotional flyers and websites. It is the largest of the park and it’s fully customized head to toe with Sharf’s signature cartoon-like characters. Some of his characters even come to life and roam around the exhibit, causing a ruckus and indulging the audience with strange dialect and yelling (a hard thing to describe without being there). 

As a whole, Luna Luna is not just an exhibit; it’s an immersive time capsule that captures the creativity and artistic freedom of the ‘80s and ‘90s. The fusion of carnival nostalgia and world-renowned artistry gives visitors a unique and exciting experience where playfulness and creativity come together. From Basquiat’s thought-provoking simplicity to Scharf’s chaotic fun, every attraction tells a story and appeals to a certain audience. 

Whether you are an art enthusiast or simply looking for a fun and unique experience, Luna Luna at The Shed is a must-visit. It serves as both a collaboration of the past and a reminder that art will always find ways to impact the present and unite us.