Wikipedia

Luna Parc

Not to be confused with Luna Park.

Luna Parc is the semi-private museum, atelier, and private home of 21st century American multimedia artist Richard "Ricky" Boscarino[4][5][6] located in Sandyston Township, New Jersey, United States. Twice a year, the museum and atelier are opened to the public for a three-weekday Open House.[3][4][7][8][9]

Luna Parc
Front view of the main house of Luna Parc
LocationSandyston Township, New Jersey, U.S.
Coordinates41°15′8.316″N 74°47′16.62″W / 41.25231000°N 74.7879500°W / 41.25231000; -74.7879500
Established1989
FounderRichard Boscarino
DesignerRichard Boscarino
EtymologyRome park by same name[1][2][3]
Operated byRichard Boscarino
Visitors5,226
OpenDuring semi-annual Open House
StatusActive
Map
Location of Luna Parc

Description

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Luna Parc comprises multiple buildings[3][10] and outdoor art pieces[11][12][13] set in an 8.5-acre[14][15] densely-wooded landscape.[2] These structures are built from metal, clay, glass,[2][16] wood, rock,[6] ceramic, cement,[17][18] and ferro-cement.[19] They are designed in a whimsical[3][15][16][20][21] architectural style, featuring vivid colors,[2][3][11][22] curving surfaces,[5][11] detailed mosaic tiling,[4][5][11] and incorporating unusual objects such as bowling balls[9][23] and license plates.[23][24]

The fantastical outdoor appearance of Luna Parc resembles Gaudí's Park Güell in Barcelona, Spain, and the Hundertwasser House in Vienna, Austria, because Boscarino drew inspiration from both these European sites.[2][16][19][20]

The main building is a 5,000 square foot residential house.[15] The interior of this house is a cabinet of curiosities exhibiting thousands of artifacts[2][3][4] ranging from the exotic (e.g., Tibetan yak leather pouch) to the absurd (human fallopian tubes floating in a glass vessel).[6][11][12][13][21][23][25] Also on display inside are Boscarino's individual works of art such as his oil paintings[16][26] and articulated metallic insect jewelry.[18][22][27][28]

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Boscarino is also an officer in The Luna Parc Atelier Foundation Inc.[29] The Foundation is a not-for-profit entity registered under US IRC as a 501(c)(3) organization[17][29] that serves as an art colony and is chartered to teach and provide hands-on training to aspiring artists and apprentice workers.[30] One mission of the Foundation is to ensure the continued existence of Luna Parc as a creative museum.[31] Much of the Foundation's training, events, and fundraising takes place on the grounds of Luna Parc.[4][9][32]

Critical reception

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Mark Sceurman, co-creator and publisher of History Channel's reality television series Weird U.S., described Luna Parc in 2014 as "Of all the places we've seen, I think this is the strangest".[23]

Some works exhibited

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  •  
    Facade of Luna Parc built of wood, rock, concrete, and ceramic mosaics
  •  
    Closeup of Boscarino detailed mosaic art
  •  
    Example of Boscarino oil paintings on display at Luna Parc (self-portrait)
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    Example of Boscarino ceramic plaque embedded into facade
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    Outdoor wind machine Boscarino built from rebar and bicycle wheels
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    Multimedia ballroom showing Boscarino sculptures, Boscarino stained glass, and artifact collections
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    Concrete portico Boscarino built using the ferro-cement technique
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    Articulated silver and bronze cicada brooch Boscarino handmade by repoussé method
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    Kiln-fired ceramic vessels Boscarino handcrafted in tradition of Mississippian head pots

References

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  1. ^ Maniaci, Paul (August 15, 2006). "Sculpting with Ricky Boscarino". Paul Lives Here. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Hamilton, William L. (June 26, 2003). "Paradise Regrouted". The New York Times archive. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Genovese, Peter (September 19, 2013). "Hidden Jersey: The psychedelic Luna Parc". The Star-Ledger. Advance Local New Jersey. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e Hidden Jersey: Artist's home is magical wonderland. The Star-Ledger. June 3, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2019 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ a b c "Life in a Funhouse, Spaceship and more!". HGTV's Home Strange Home. Season 1. Episode 1. January 15, 2007. Event occurs at Luna Parc segment. HGTV. Retrieved May 9, 2019 – via HGTV.
  6. ^ a b c Dickson, Laurie (2003). Artists' Interiors: Creative Spaces, Inspired Living. Rockport Publishers. pp. 88–93. ISBN 9781564969521. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  7. ^ "Luna Parc". Luna Parc. May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  8. ^ Hamilton, William L. (November 2, 2003). "Artist's studio is a confection in the woods". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  9. ^ a b c Moen, Katie (October 25, 2016). "Luna Parc inspiring next generation of artists". New Jersey Herald. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  10. ^ "Ricky Boscarino". NJ Skylands. 41 Decatur Street, Columbia, NJ, USA 07832: Guest Services, Inc. September 16, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  11. ^ a b c d e Mobile Instinct (March 14, 2017). Magic house in the woods. Retrieved May 8, 2019 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ a b New Jersey Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff. Augusta, Georgia: Morris Communications division Globe Pequot Press. June 18, 2007. ISBN 9780762741120. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  13. ^ a b Genovese, Peter (September 28, 2015). "Magic castle: Journey inside N.J.'s most madcap home (PHOTOS)". The Star-Ledger. Advance Local New Jersey. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  14. ^ "Luna Parc: Psychedelic Wonderland in the Woods". Weird NJ. June 17, 2005. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  15. ^ a b c "Luna Parc, Three Decades of a Grand Work in Progress with Ricky Boscarino". Society of American Mosaic Artists. April 27, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  16. ^ a b c d Sacco, Stephen (November 20, 2010). "Eclectic house in New Jersey a living work of art". Times Herald-Record. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  17. ^ a b "About Luna Parc". Luna Parc. October 18, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  18. ^ a b Christie, Les (May 11, 2012). "Unique home in the Jersey woods". CNN. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  19. ^ a b "Bolder Talks – Ricky Boscarino the Mastermind behind the psychedelic wonderland Luna Parc". Safety Harbor Art & Music Center (SHAMc). Safety Harbor, Florida. January 19, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  20. ^ a b "Luna Parc: Whimsical artist house in the New Jersey woods". Atlas Obscura. March 22, 2003. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  21. ^ a b Koennemann, Kristen (March 6, 2016). "There's No House in the World Like This One in New Jersey". Only in Your State. Leaf Group. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  22. ^ a b "Ricky Boscarino / Luna Parc – Jewelry / Gold & Silver". Sugarloaf Craft Festivals. Maryland. August 27, 2002. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  23. ^ a b c d Weird NJ (October 18, 2014). Take a video tour of Luna Parc in Montague with Weird NJ and the home's creator, Ricky. Retrieved May 8, 2019 – via Facebook.
  24. ^ Parker, Melody (July 6, 2015). "Alchemist at work: Artist Ricky of Luna Park offers unconventional perspective on ceramics". The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  25. ^ The Learning Channel (July 2, 2012). Four Houses: Ricky's Science Center. Retrieved May 14, 2019 – via YouTube.
  26. ^ "Paintings". Luna Parc. February 2, 2002. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  27. ^ "Insects and Arthropods". Luna Parc. February 2, 2002. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  28. ^ "The Art of Crafts". The New York Times. July 12, 1998. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  29. ^ a b "Search Results – Luna Parc Atelier Foundation Inc EIN 47-3405829". Internal Revenue Service. December 31, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  30. ^ "Our Mission and Vision". Luna Parc Atelier Foundation Inc. December 21, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  31. ^ "Our Mission". Luna Park Atlier Foundation. Sussex County, NJ, USA: Luna Park Atlier Foundation Inc. August 22, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  32. ^ "Luna Parc Open House and Art Sale". Luna Park Atlier Foundation. Sussex County, NJ, USA: Luna Park Atlier Foundation Inc. May 6, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
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