OK, this one is a must-see! Whether you’re an art lover, kind of interested a bit or just happy to give it a go, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is just a wonderful exhibition and fantastic way to make the story of one of the most influential artists of all time perfectly accessible, exciting and just wow!
As soon as you’re inside, the display is a welcome attack on your senses, with the sounds, colour and movement immediately all pervasive. There is so much to see, from incredible copies of Van Gogh’s most famous works to holograms, moving display constantly melding, merging and changing to tell an incredible, if undeniably tragic story of this famous artist.
From the opening space of the incredible venue that is Propyard, the colours of sunflowers surround and dominate you, exuding strong shades and powerful brush strokes, with perfectly paced panels alongside detailing the exhibits and proving that educational and informative doesn’t need to mean dry and boring. Alongside the static displays are films detailing Van Gogh’s early life, explanations of his influences and wonderfully creative 3D portrayals of some of his better known works.
As you carry on through the exhibition, the displays use lights and projections to envelope you in colour and movement in a way that puts other art exhibitions in the shadows. And this is also a hands-on experience, with the chance to try your hand at creating a copy of the master’s work and having it projected up on the wall for everyone to see.
One of the highlights of the immersive experience is the cathedral like main hall where you can sit back in deck chairs and watch the walls around move and meld to generate a unique artistic experience, bringing the works to life and showing how each influences the other. This is a place to sit back, relax and take your time to indulge in the spectacle around you, with a perfectly complimentary musical background only adding the sensation.
Once you finally move on, there’s a chance to take a virtual reality trip through Van Gogh’s artistic mind with a set of VR goggles taking you on a ten minute journey through ‘A Day In The Life Of An Artist’ as you discover the influences behind eight of Van Gogh’s best known works. Fortunately you’ll be sitting down for the whole experience, as the temptation to get up and walk off into the virtual world around is incredibly strong. There is a £5 additional charge for this bit of the tour.
There’s undoubtedly a melancholic feel to the exhibition, strongly influenced by the tragedies in the artist’s life. Still, this immersive experience is an absolute triumph, a beautiful introduction to the life and influences of a hugely well-known although perhaps under-appreciated figure. Whether it’s suitable for younger children is your call. The lights, colour and movement are certainly intoxicating for grown-ups, but it’s also a visit where you need to take your time and enjoy the chance to sit-back and indulge your senses.
For older children, particularly those studying art, this is a great opportunity to learn about the influences and struggles that shaped Van Gogh’s work. As a beginner to this world, I loved it and really didn’t want to leave.
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience runs until September 2022, although ticket availability is limited for April and May. To find out more, go to vangoghexpo.com/bristol/