Immersive Van Gogh experiences have been spreading around the world over the last year, but did you know that not all of them are the same?
There are actually multiple different experiences, including:
One thing they all have in common, however, is that you will not actually be in the presence of original artwork.
What is the Van Gogh experience?
Having visited the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam — and always up to experience anything art-related — I was excited when Van Gogh: The Immersive Exhibition came to my city.
Having read very little about the show, I really had no idea what to expect when I arrived, at my selected time, to view the exhibit.
The exhibit was being held in a large conference center, which seemed a bit strange for an art exhibit, which is usually in smaller, more intimate settings.
After getting a bit of an introduction from an usher who guided me into the space (there were Covid-related rules that I had to follow), I found myself in a high-ceilinged black room filled with three rows of framed text suspended from the ceiling, each one illuminated by a spotlight.
The canvases told the story of the life of the artist, his inspirations, his contemporaries, and the creators of the exhibition. While the information was interesting and valuable, it did little to explain what the Van Gogh experience actually was.
It was obvious that the main event was through a large doorway at the end of the room, as loud music and flashes of light caught my eye as I tried to focus on reading the history.
Finally, I took a step into the large room and, I am not going to lie, was at first a little underwhelmed. I am not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t to spend the entire time in one large room — I pictured there being multiple rooms that you would wander through for an hour, experiencing different things in each one. But, instead, there was one huge room made up of massive screens around the exterior, with additional screens in the middle of it.
Don’t let my initial disappointment fool you though, as it soon turned into awe, then amazement, and then sheer delight.
According to the website of the exhibit that I attended, “Imagine Van Gogh, is an exhibition where one can admire The Starry Night, Irises and Sunflowers, or be drawn into the intimacy of his Bedroom in Arles. An experience that brings viewers to the heart of its images, Imagine Van Gogh is accompanied by the music of the great composers Saint-Saëns, Mozart, Bach, Delibes and Satie.”
Here’s what that actually means.
All around you, images of Van Gogh’s paintings from different parts of his career are projected on the giant walls and floor around you. Some show the entire painting, and others show zoomed-in portions of the work that allow you to examine the artist’s brushstrokes. The experience truly is immersive, making you feel like you are surrounded by and almost in the artwork.
The changing screens are choreographed to classical music that perfectly fits with each color, swirl, and stroke of the incredible paintings.
The exhibit truly is unlike anything I have ever experienced before.
How to enjoy the Van Gogh experience
I actually enjoyed the experience so much; I went back a second time — and both times felt different and unique.
Here’s what I would recommend in order to get the most out of the exhibit:
Pick a spot and stay there for one whole loop of the artwork
The work and music have a complete loop that lasts about 30 minutes before it restarts (at least that’s how it worked in the version of the exhibit that I saw — I cannot speak for all of them). I found that picking one place to stand, and staying there for the full loop, allowed me to see as much as possible without feeling like I was missing anything.
Don’t forget to look down and around you
Though you may be standing in one spot, that doesn’t mean you can’t spin around. You are literally immersed in art, so make sure to look behind you and down at your feet as well.
Don’t be afraid to sit down
Many people who attend these exhibits bring blankets so they can sit and enjoy the art. Some versions of the exhibit also provide benches.
Wear comfortable shoes and don’t bring a lot of “stuff” with you
You are going to be on your feet for at least 30 minutes, if not more, so make sure you are comfortable, and avoid bringing a lot of bags with you, as you will want to feel like you can move around freely.
Once you have made it through one complete loop of the artwork, stay for a second one
During the second loop, wander to a new spot, or walk around the entire time to get different perspectives on the work.
Take photos, but try and put your camera/phone away for most of the experience
Of course, you will want to take photos, but the idea of the exhibit is to let yourself get totally immersed in the art and the music — hard to do when you are watching it through the screen of your phone!
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Meet The Author
Lindsay Shapka is an avid traveler and the creator of The Anthrotorian — a website dedicated to sharing travel tips, stories about adventures, culture quirks, artists you should know, fascinating bits of history, and more!
She is also an artist, marketing specialist, editor, and freelance writer who has work featured on websites, blogs, and in magazines like National Geographic Traveler.
This stunning work by Picasso is housed in the Museu Picasso in Barcelona.
I was completely enchanted by this work when I came upon it while walking through the museum one afternoon. It is oversized, and unlike anything that I had ever seen before — by Picasso or any other artist for that matter.