Van Gogh immersive experience

Type of art exhibit

"Van Gogh Alive" exhibit in Wellington, New Zealand in 2021

A number of real-life and virtual reality exhibits of Vincent van Gogh's paintings have been staged around the world since the 2000s. The for-profit events range across venues, organizers, and locations, though the majority have been held in North America in 2021 and 2022. The events are typically set up in large gallery spaces. Images or videos of the artist's works are projected onto walls, ceilings, and floors, sometimes accompanied by animations, narrations, music, or fragrances.

The events have received varying degrees of criticism, including over ticket providers, confusion over similar event names, and over artistic licenses taken to van Gogh's paintings.

## Events

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Video of a "Van Gogh Alive" exhibit

The immersive events have been held in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.[1][2] Events held in the United States include "Imagine Van Gogh: The Immersive Exhibition", the "Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit", "Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience", "Van Gogh Alive", and "Beyond Van Gogh".[3][4] These events drew complaints over their similar naming, which lead customers to accidentally purchase tickets to the wrong event. The for-profit shows range in price from $25 to US$75 per adult.[3][5]

Numerous van Gogh events are being held in mid- to large-size U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Petersburg, Philadelphia and Charlotte. Larger cities like Boston, Dallas, Miami, and New York City have multiple shows through multiple vendors; there are about six total.[3] Museums in Columbus, Dallas, Houston, and Santa Barbara are hosting unaffiliated traditional exhibits of van Gogh's works, running over similar periods to the immersive exhibitions.[5][6]

Most of these experiences involve visitors moving through multiple rooms, with walls, and occasionally floors or ceilings, covered in moving projections of Van Gogh's works. The projections include sketches, drawings, and paintings, presented in a 360-degree, floor-to-ceiling digital format.[5][7] The works are typically accompanied by music set to pair with them. Some exhibits also use sensory tools like aromas of cedar, cypress, lemon, or nutmeg to help visitors feel more immersed with the works.[3] Some events involve virtual reality headsets that take visitors through the artist's experiences.[2]

The original show, "Imagine Van Gogh: The Immersive Exhibition", shows works from the artist's last two years living. There is separately in New York "Van Gogh: The Immersive Exhibition". The "Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit", designed by Massimiliano Siccardi, is adapted for each space it is exhibited in. The show tells van Gogh's story with a loose stream of consciousness, using large images and animations to demonstrate what "flashed before his eyes" before the artist died.[3]

## History

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The first immersive experiences of Van Gogh's art took place in Europe in the 2000s. Other artists have also been featured in similar shows, including Picasso and Monet, though Van Gogh's popularity makes his shows the most successful. The first showing, in 2008, was titled "Imagine Van Gogh: The Immersive Exhibition". The exhibit was created by Annabelle Mauger, who built off a model her husband's grandfather created, known as "Image Totale".[3]

Showings in the United States gained traction following the 2020 Netflix series Emily in Paris. The show depicts a Van Gogh-themed experience in Paris.[8] Nevertheless, the magazine Boston expressed that there doesn't seem to be a distinct reason behind the mass of immersive events.[9]

Most of the 2021–22 showings have to comply with COVID-19-related regulations, including enforcing mask-wearing and social distancing.[3] Some of these shows were rescheduled due to outbreaks of the virus, and at least one event was modified to be viewed from inside visitors' vehicles.[10] The pandemic has been suggested as another reason for the high frequency and popularity of immersive shows in 2021–22, given that many visitors may have been kept inside during COVID-19 lockdowns.[8]

On July 27, 2023, however, the operator of the immersive shows, Lighthouse Immersive, filed for bankruptcy in Canada and Chapter 15 bankruptcy in the US.[11] Lighthouse Immersive will reduce its operations to four or five venues by the end of September 2023.[12]

## Reception

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C. Shaw Smith, art professor at Davidson College, expressed that the exhibits are more about presentation and spectacle than about the art itself. The exhibits also do not generally show the artist's brushstrokes (a key element of his artistry), especially as the originals have a depth that is imperceptible from a projector image. He noted that the exhibits may displease purists as some simulations animate the paintings, taking creative licenses beyond what van Gogh intended for his art. Smith also recognized that the exhibits popularize the works, bringing them to a larger audience.[13]

In March 2021, the Better Business Bureau warned the public about confusion over the van Gogh events, given the different events taking place around the same time and issues with ticket provider Fever. The ticketing company received about 200 complaints by that time, many of which were due to their policy against giving refunds.[14]

## References

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1. ^ Fraley, Jason (March 8, 2021). "Dueling Van Gogh exhibits generate interest, confusion in DC, New York". WTOP-FM. Washington, D.C.
2. ^ a b Schulman, Sandra (April 15, 2021). "Beyond Van Gogh: Starry Nights, Sunflowers and Immersive Madness". Florida Daily Post. West Palm Beach, Florida.
3. ^ a b c d e f g Morales, Christina (March 7, 2021). "Immersive van Gogh Experiences Bloom Like Sunflowers". The New York Times. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
4. ^ Matthews, Lyndsey (April 7, 2021). "Immersive Van Gogh Digital Art Shows Coming to Nearly 30 U.S. Cities". AFAR.
5. ^ a b c Hopkins, Earl (April 8, 2021). "Tickets on sale for 'immersive Van Gogh' exhibit coming to Columbus in October". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
6. ^ Bailey, Martin (January 8, 2021). "Treats for Van Gogh fans in 2021: exhibitions, museum openings and books". The Art Newspaper. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
7. ^ "Lots of Artsy Fun, a Jazz Concert, and the Water Lantern Festival: Things to Do in DC, August 5-8 - Washingtonian". August 5, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
8. ^ a b Boucher, Brian (March 15, 2021). "'Emily in Paris' Fueled a Frenzy for Immersive Van Gogh 'Experiences.' Now a Consumer Watchdog Is Issuing a Warning About NYC's Dueling Shows". Artnet News. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
9. ^ Gera, Makena (March 4, 2021). "Two (Yes, Two) Immersive Van Gogh Exhibitions Are Coming to Boston". Boston. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
10. ^ Nathoo, Zulekha (May 13, 2020). "Drive-in digital art exhibit allows visitors to 'Gogh by car'". CBC News. Toronto, Canada. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
11. ^ "Lighthouse Immersive goes bankrupt". Financial Post. July 27, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
12. ^ Karen K. Ho (August 4, 2023). "Canadian Company Behind Immersive Van Gogh Exhibition Restructures Operations After Filing for Bankruptcy". ART News.
13. ^ Pfeifer, Jay (April 16, 2021). "'Immersive Van Gogh' Has Upsides and Downsides, Explains Art Prof". Davidson College. North Carolina. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
14. ^ Wafai, Yasmeen (March 26, 2021). "Better Business Bureau warns consumers about upcoming Van Gogh event in Seattle". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 11, 2021.

## External links

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* Media related to Van Gogh immersive experiences at Wikimedia Commons

* v
* t
* e

Vincent van Gogh

General|

* Biography
* List of works
* List of drawings
* Chronology
* The Letters of Vincent van Gogh
* Health
* Auberge Ravoux
* Death
* Nazi looting of artworks by Vincent van Gogh
* Posthumous fame
* Cultural depictions
* Lost Arles sketchbook

Groups of
works|

* Early works (1881–82)
* Portraits (1881–1890)
* Peasant Character Studies (1881–1885)
* Van Gogh's family in his art (1881–1888)
* Sien (1882–83)
* Cottages (1883–1885)
* Water Mill at Gennep (1884)
* Still life paintings, Netherlands (1884–85)
* Old Church Tower at Nuenen (1884–85)
* Amsterdam (1885)
* Wheat Fields (1885–1890)
* Le Moulin de la Galette (1886)
* Still life paintings, Paris (1886–87)
* Montmartre (1886–87)
* Self portraits (1886–1889)
* Outskirts of Paris (1887)
* Asnières (1887)
* Seine (1887)
* Japonaiserie (1887)
* Sunflowers (1887–1889)
* Trees and Undergrowth (1887–1890)
* Copies by Vincent van Gogh (1887–1890)
* Langlois Bridge at Arles (1888)
* Saintes-Maries (1888)
* Boats du Rhône (1888)
* Décoration for the Yellow House (1888)
* The Roulin Family (1888–89)
* Hospital in Arles (1888–89)
* Flowering Orchards (1888–89)
* Almond Blossoms (1888–1890)
* Paintings of Children (1888–1890)
* The Wheat Field (1889)
* Reaper (1889)
* Olive Trees (1889)
* Wheat Fields (1889)
* Butterflies (1889–90)
* Saint-Paul Asylum, Saint-Rémy (1889–90)
* Auvers Double-squares and Squares (1890)
* Lost works by Vincent van Gogh
* Display at Les XX, 1890

Oil paintings|

| 1882|

* Beach at Scheveningen in Stormy Weather
* Girl in White in the Woods
* Lying Cow
* A Girl in the Street, Two Coaches in the Background

|

1883|

* Cows in the Meadow
* Farmhouses Among Trees
* Bulb Fields
* Landscape with a Church at Twilight
* Landscape with Dunes
* Footbridge across a Ditch
* Marshy Landscape
* A Wind-Beaten Tree
* Farm with Stacks of Peat
* Farmhouses in Loosduinen near The Hague at Twilight
* Three Figures near a Canal with Windmill

1884|

* Two Rats
* Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen
* The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen
* Landscape with Pollard Willows
* Cart with Black Ox
* Cart with Red and White Ox
* Lane in Autumn
* Water Mill at Opwetten
* Water Mill at Kollen
* Village at Sunset
* Avenue of Poplars in Autumn
* Avenue of Poplars at Sunset
* Head of an Old Farmer's Wife in a White Hat

1885|

* Still Life with Straw Hat
* The Potato Eaters
* Peasant Woman Digging
* Peasant Woman Digging Up Potatoes
* Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette

1886|

* Vase with Red Poppies
* Vase with White and Red Carnations
* The Kingfisher

1887|

* Poppy Flowers
* Wheat Field with a Lark
* View of Paris from Vincent's Room in the Rue Lepic
* Portrait of Père Tanguy
* A Woman Walking in a Garden
* Imperial Fritillaries in a Copper Vase
* Agostina Segatori Sitting in the Café du Tambourin
* Red Cabbages and Garlic

1888|

* Madame Roulin and Her Baby
* Landscape with Snow
* La Mousmé
* The Zouave
* Still Life: Vase with Oleanders
* The Night Café
* The Yellow House
* Van Gogh's Chair
* Café Terrace at Night
* Starry Night Over the Rhône
* Portrait of the Artist's Mother
* Bedroom in Arles
* The Painter on the Road to Tarascon
* Les Alyscamps
* A Lane in the Public Garden at Arles
* Falling Autumn Leaves
* L'Arlésienne
* The Red Vineyard
* Memory of the Garden at Etten (Ladies of Arles)
* Les Arènes
* Interior of a Restaurant in Arles
* A Lane near Arles
* Arles: View from the Wheat Fields
* Sunset at Montmajour
* Farmhouse in Provence
* Orchard with Cypresses

1889|

* Valley with Ploughman Seen from Above
* View of Arles, Flowering Orchards
* Portrait of Doctor Rey
* Crab on its Back
* Two Crabs
* Irises
* Lilac Bush
* The Starry Night
* The Gardener
* Self-portrait (1889)
* Self-portrait without beard
* Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear
* A Meadow in the Mountains: Le Mas de Saint-Paul
* A Road at Saint-Remy with Female Figure
* Enclosed Field with Peasant
* Rain
* Cypresses
* Wheat Field with Cypresses
* Green Wheat Field with Cypress
* The Diggers
* The Ravine of the Peyroulets
* Ivy
* View of the Asylum and Chapel of Saint-Rémy
* The Large Plane Trees
* The Mulberry Tree

1890|

* The Siesta
* Road with Cypress and Star
* At Eternity's Gate
* Thatched Cottages and Houses
* Portrait of Dr. Gachet
* Doctor Gachet's Garden in Auvers
* Houses at Auvers
* White House at Night
* Landscape with a Carriage and a Train
* Girl in White
* The Church at Auvers
* Daubigny's Garden
* Farms near Auvers
* The Cows
* The Town Hall at Auvers
* Blossoming Chestnut Branches
* Peasant Woman Against a Background of Wheat
* Still Life: Vase with Pink Roses
* Portrait of Adeline Ravoux
* Plain near Auvers
* Wheatfield Under Thunderclouds
* Wheatfield with Crows
* Prisoners' Round (after Gustave Doré)
* Tree Roots
* Landscape at Auvers in the Rain
* Poppy Field

Watercolours|

* Boy Cutting Grass with a Sickle (1881)
* Meadows near Rijswijk and the Schenkweg (1882)
* The 'Laakmolen' near The Hague (1882)
* Church Pew with Worshippers (1882)
* Woman on Her Deathbed (1883)
* Landscape with Trees (1883)
* Peatery in Drenthe (1883)
* Landscape with Wheelbarrow (1883)
* Drawbridge in Nieuw-Amsterdam (1883)
* Breton Women (1888)
* Old Vineyard with Peasant Woman (1890)

Drawings|

* 87 Hackford Road (1873 or 1874)
* Marsh with Water Lilies (1881)
* Sorrow (1882)
* Portrait of a Man in a Top Hat (1882)
* Torso of Venus and a Landscape (1887)
* Head of a Girl (1888)

Museums|

* Van Gogh Museum
* Van Gogh House (Drenthe)
* Maison Van Gogh
* Kröller-Müller Museum
* Monastery of Saint-Paul de Mausole
* Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles

Portrayals|

* Vincent van Gogh (1886 painting)
* Portrait of Vincent van Gogh (1887)
* The Painter of Sunflowers (1888 painting)
* Lust for Life (1934 novel)
* Van Gogh (1948 film)
* Lust for Life (1956 film)
* Van Gogh (1956 opera)
* Vincent and Theo van Gogh (1963 statue)
* "Vincent" (1971 song)
* Vincent (1987 film)
* Vincent & Theo (1990 film)
* Vincent and Me (1990 film)
* Dreams (1990 film)
* Vincent (1990 opera)
* Van Gogh (1991 film)
* Vincent in Brixton (2003 play)
* The Yellow House (2007 film)
* "Vincent and the Doctor" (2010 TV episode)
* Loving Vincent (2017 film)
* At Eternity's Gate (2018 film)

Family|

* Theo van Gogh (brother)
* Wil van Gogh (sister)
* Cor van Gogh (brother)
* Johanna van Gogh-Bonger
* Andries Bonger
* Theo van Gogh (film director)
* Anton Mauve
* Johannes Stricker

Cataloguers|

* Jacob Baart de la Faille (1928 and 1970; "F")
* Jan Hulsker (1978, revised 1989; "JH")

Related|

* The Vincent Award
* Van Gogh immersive experience

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