Luna Parc

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]

Not to be confused with Luna Park.

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
Established1989
FounderRichard Boscarino
DesignerRichard Boscarino
EtymologyRome park by same name[1][2][3]
Operated byRichard Boscarino
Visitors5,226
OpenDuring semi-annual Open House
StatusActive

Description

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]

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

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
  • 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)
  • Example of Boscarino ceramic plaque embedded into facade
  • Outdoor wind machine Boscarino built from rebar and bicycle wheels
  • Multimedia ballroom showing Boscarino sculptures, Boscarino stained glass, and artifact collections
  • Concrete portico Boscarino built using the ferro-cement technique
  • Articulated silver and bronze cicada brooch Boscarino handmade by repoussé method
  • Kiln-fired ceramic vessels Boscarino handcrafted in tradition of Mississippian head pots

References
  1. Maniaci, Paul (August 15, 2006). "Sculpting with Ricky Boscarino". Paul Lives Here. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  2. Hamilton, William L. (June 26, 2003). "Paradise Regrouted". The New York Times archive. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  3. Genovese, Peter (September 19, 2013). "Hidden Jersey: The psychedelic Luna Parc". The Star-Ledger. Advance Local New Jersey. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  4. Hidden Jersey: Artist's home is magical wonderland. The Star-Ledger. June 3, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2019 – via YouTube.
  5. "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. 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. 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.CS1 maint: location (link)
  11. Mobile Instinct (March 14, 2017). Magic house in the woods. Retrieved May 8, 2019 – via YouTube.
  12. 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. 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. "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. Sacco, Stephen (November 20, 2010). "Eclectic house in New Jersey a living work of art". Times Herald-Record. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  17. "About Luna Parc". Luna Parc. October 18, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  18. Christie, Les (May 11, 2012). "Unique home in the Jersey woods". CNN. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  19. "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. "Luna Parc: Whimsical artist house in the New Jersey woods". Atlas Obscura. March 22, 2003. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  21. 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. "Ricky Boscarino / Luna Parc – Jewelry / Gold & Silver". Sugarloaf Craft Festivals. Maryland. August 27, 2002. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  23. 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. "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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