Psychedelic Art and Roller Coasters Make a Comeback in Luna Luna

What’s better than experiencing the beauty of hallucinogenic substances and envisioning trippy visuals in the mind’s eye? Seeing them come to life in the form of psychedelic art. 

For the first time since 1987, people worldwide can witness the extravagant dream of André Heller. Luna Luna is back, and it’s bigger and better than ever. What is it, how did it become a reality, and what’s the story behind its comeback?

Join us as we explore the world of amusement rides and funfairs splattered with the trippiest artwork available to humankind. 

How André Heller Brought Luna Luna to Life

Austrian artist André Heller always had a flair for arbitrary creativity and a passion for psychedelic art. He established his unique craft in multimedia designs, making extraordinary displays that impressed crowds far and wide. 

Some of his projects included floating sculptures, immersive labyrinths, “chambers of wonder,” fire spectacles, and art museums.

In the 1980s, Heller developed a desire to do something more. He loved the circus and appreciated artwork, so how could he combine them? He was passionate about his fellow artists and wanted a way to celebrate them while tapping into humanity’s childlike wonder. 

He came up with the idea to create a “psychedelic art carnival.” He wanted to bless the world with artistic talent in a way no one had ever attempted. So, in 1987, he launched his functional art amusement park, Luna Luna.

What Made the Original Luna Luna Special?

André Heller had a child’s dream and an adult’s imagination. Combining the two to create his theme park meant he could cater to people of all ages. Ultimately, his goal was to bring populations together while giving obscure artists the recognition they deserved.

His vision for Luna Luna was to merge popular culture with “avant-garde” artwork and showcase them in a single location. He added amusement attractions and spread psychedelic art across each joy ride, fairground activity, and roller coaster. 

Heller had spent around a decade traveling the globe to find artists to include in his project. The original Luna Luna amusement park featured various works, including:

• A Keith Haring carousel with 3-D versions of his famous line-drawing characters.
• Colorful flags across the park with character motifs from Monika Gilsing.
• A painted ferris wheel from Jean-Michel Basquiat with some of his earlier work.
• A cylindrical pavilion with geometrical trees from David Hockney.

There were various sculptures, posters, murals, and tarps from different artists across the park. The entrance arch, café, wedding chapel, circus wagon, and restrooms also featured psychedelic art. 

Stepping into Luna Luna was like walking through a lucid dream, and André Heller had achieved his goal. The park was a huge success, attracting people from all walks of life and all corners of Germany and beyond.

Unfortunately, various legal troubles forced Heller to shut his psychedelic art park down in the summer of 1987. City plans, political disputes, and other complications drove André into debt, and he had to abandon his dream. 

All the attractions from the park found themselves locked away. They gathered dust in shipping containers, not seen by the public eye for just over three decades. 

Finally, in 2019, an unsuspecting creative director fell in love with the idea of Luna Luna. Without hesitation, he set out on a mission to restore it to its former glory.

The Revival of Luna Luna

Michael Goldberg had a keen eye for obscure and psychedelic art. The creative director also had a passion for designing and promoting purposeful content. After a 2018 article on Luna Luna inspired him, he set out to resurrect it. 

André Heller had also started plotting ideas to revive his dream successfully. It was possible, but it would be a massive financial feat. Michael Goldberg was the missing key he needed. 

The creative director managed to attract the attention of global superstar and rapper Drake, who also had a passion for art. After hearing about Luna Luna, he got involved with the park’s revival.

The original psychedelic art from the theme park had moved to a warehouse in Los Angeles. Some carnival rides had become defunct, but most of the artwork had remained intact. The restored Luna Luna would need to introduce new ideas.

André Heller had adequate funding and a fully supportive team behind him, unlike in 1987 when his extravagant dream wasn’t financially feasible. This time, Drake and his production company DreamCrew contributed a sizable amount to the park’s investment funds.

Additionally, a secret buyer helped to round up the budget required for the revival. Workers started removing the original attractions from storage, aiming to set up the new park and make it functional again. 

The new Luna Luna features psychedelic art from the original artists alongside contemporary works from modern creatives. It includes cultural programming and curated food stalls, inspiring people to connect while enjoying eye-catching visuals in a fantasy wonderland. 

Thanks to a few individuals, André Heller’s legacy continues and will stay alive for many years.

Bring the Trip to Life

Psychedelic substances act on specific parts of the brain that often induce vivid, colorful hallucinations. Everything around the user becomes brighter and more dazzling, but, in reality, they’re all illusions.

Luna Luna is the first of its kind that brings those trippy visuals to life in the form of psychedelic art. Not since 1987 have people been able to witness the magic of this unique theme park, but now they can. It’s an experience not to be missed.

Check out our Fungushead blog to dive deeper into the enthralling world of psychedelics.

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