OPENS NOV 20
A spectacular showcase of carnival attractions and performances by visionary artists

Presented by The Shed and Luna Luna

Tickets

Tickets go on sale to Shed members before the general public:

  • Makers: Monday, September 16 at noon EST
  • Builders: Wednesday, September 18 in the morning EST
  • Movers: Wednesday, September 18 in the afternoon EST

Tickets will be available to the general public at noon on Thursday, September 19.

For early access to tickets, become a member today.

About this program

★★★★★
“The art event of the year.”
—The Independent
Kenny Scharf, Painted chair swing ride (foreground), and David Hockney, Enchanted Tree (background), 1987, exhibited in Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy, Los Angeles, 2024. Kenny Scharf artwork © Kenny Scharf. Licensed by Artestar, New York.
A carnival chair swing ride by artist Kenny Scharf with colorful panels designed by the artist is illuminated by bright light bulbs on the ride. Its chairs in different colors hang from chains around it.
Interior: Salvador Dalí, Dalídom, 1987, exhibited in Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy, Los Angeles, 2024.
Visitors at Luna Luna stand inside a room covered by triangular mirrors, designed by Salvador Dalí. One of the couple holds a small child in his arms and holds up a phone to take a photo.
Keith Haring, Painted carousel, 1987, exhibited in Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy, Los Angeles, 2024. © Keith Haring Foundation. Licensed by Artestar, New York.
A close up photo of a carousel ride designed by artist Keith Haring. Its yellow interior column is covered in black cartoonish line drawings and sculptures of Haring's distinctive cartoon designs of people are lined around the edge of the ride.
Manfred Deix, Palace of the Winds, 1987, exhibited in Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy, Los Angeles, 2024.
A close up of a visitor to Luna Luna interacting with a mural by Manfed Deix. In the cartoon mural image, a conductor lowers his pants to moon onlookers. The visitor holds one hand up to the mural while taking a photo with the phone in his other hand.
Luna Luna, Hamburg, Germany, 1987. Photo © Sabina Sarnitz.
An aerial nighttime view of the original Luna Luna carnival in Hamburg, Germany, 1987. The carnival rides are illuminated by bright light bulbs, giving a festive feeling.
Interior: David Hockney, Enchanted Tree, Luna Luna, Hamburg, Germany, 1987. Photo © Sabina Sarnitz.
The interior of a carnival attraction by artist David Hockney. The space is moodily lit in dark blue and pink lights. A ray of bright white light shoots across the room from high above.
Kenny Scharf, Painted chair swing ride, Luna Luna, Hamburg, Germany, 1987. © Kenny Scharf. Licensed by Artestar, New York.
A chair swing ride painted by artist Kenny Scharf spins riders around on their suspended chairs.
Roy Lichtenstein, Luna Luna Pavilion, Luna Luna, Hamburg, Germany, 1987. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein, 1987, all rights reserved.
Visitors to the original 1987 Luna Luna carnival interact with a person dressed in a costume with a half moon for a head. The four visitors are lined up in front of a mural by artist Roy Lichtenstein, with red, white, and blue shapes made by diagonal lines.
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Painted Ferris wheel with music, Luna Luna, Hamburg, Germany, 1987. © Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York.
A Ferris wheel gondola with two people inside, seen from below. The Ferris wheel, designed by artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, is white with its scaffolding lined in bright white light bulbs.
Luna Luna, Hamburg, Germany, 1987.
A performer at the original Luna Luna in Hamburg Germany in 1987 breathes a burst of fire.
Keith Haring, Painted carousel, Luna Luna, Hamburg, Germany, 1987. © Keith Haring Foundation. Licensed by Artestar, New York.
Children play on a carousel designed by artist Keith Haring at the original Luna Luna in Hamburg, Germany, in 1987.
Kenny Scharf, Painted chair swing ride (foreground), and David Hockney, Enchanted Tree (background), 1987, exhibited in Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy, Los Angeles, 2024. Kenny Scharf artwork © Kenny Scharf. Licensed by Artestar, New York.

The critics on Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy (Los Angeles):

“The spectacle alone is an attraction, and visitors can enter pavilions by Hockney and Salvador Dalí or get married at André Heller’s ‘Wedding Chapel’.”
—The New York Times

“Seeing them up close and in action is a ride unto itself.”
—The Hollywood Reporter

“A colorful jubilee of larger-than-life installations.”
—Time Out

Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy invites visitors into a colorful, riotous fun house of carnival attractions by visionary artists of the 20th century including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, David Hockney, Sonia Delaunay, and more.

The brainchild of artist André Heller, Luna Luna first opened in 1987 in Hamburg, Germany, as a spectacular fairground. And then, by a twist of fate, the park’s treasures were forgotten in storage in Texas for 36 years. With a blockbuster showing in Los Angeles in December 2023, Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy resurrected these artworks, to audiences’ delight.

This November, the showcase arrives at The Shed, creating a can’t-be-missed event in NYC. The Shed’s presentation—installed in the soaring, iconic McCourt space and Level 2 Gallery—will include special performances and concert events.

Featured artists include Jean-Michel Basquiat, Arik Brauer, Salvador Dalí, Sonia Delaunay, Monika GilSing, Keith Haring, André Heller, David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein, and Kenny Scharf

Location and dates

This event takes place in Level 2 Gallery and The McCourt.

Opens November 20

Tuesday – Thursday, 12 – 8 pm
Friday, 12 – 10 pm
Saturday, 10 am – 10 pm
Sunday, 10 am – 8 pm
Closed Monday

The Shed is located at 545 West 30th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues. View The Shed on a map.

For information about accessibility and arriving at The Shed, visit our Accessibility page.

Details

  • The average time to experience Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy is 75 minutes.

Accessibility

Seating

The Shed is wheelchair accessible. The McCourt and Level 2 Gallery will include benches and accessible seating options. Please contact us in advance to discuss your needs and available options by emailing accessibility@theshed.org or calling (646) 455-3949.

Purchasing Tickets

The Shed’s online ticketing system includes the option to submit accommodation requests beyond the access points detailed here.

Contact Us

For questions or other requests, visit the Accessibility page, email accessibility@theshed.org, or call (646) 455-3494.

Thank you to our partners

The creation of new work at The Shed is generously supported by the Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Commissioning Fund and the Shed Commissioners.

Generous support for projects at the vanguard of creative practice, including Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy, is provided by the Ajay and Ritu Banga Artistic Innovation Fund.

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