Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience in Washington, DC
If you haven’t already seen ads for the Van Gogh Immersive Experience, this crazy exhibition is currently in 10 US cities and 4 European cities (a few locations already finished the exhibition). In Washington, DC the exhibit is showing through January. We just recently visited the exhibit and I highly recommend snagging a ticket before it’s too late!
I am a huge Impressionism and Post-Impressionism fan so Vincent Van Gogh is an easy favorite. When in Amsterdam, I visited the Van Gogh Museum which features a huge collection of his work as well as excerpts from his many preserved letters. Similar to the Van Gogh Museum, this exhibit features a lot of insight into the artist and his tragically short life.
The Van Gogh Immersive Experience exhibit features three sections:
- Part I: Van Gogh’s works
- Part II: Complete Immersion
- Part III: The Convent
Part I: His Works
In Part I, many of Van Gogh’s works are illuminated in different ways. See the Sunflower works lined up together and compare for a study in light. There are also videos compiled with quotes from Van Gogh for a glimpse inside of his life and relationships.
“I dream of painting and then I paint my dream.”
In the first part, his paintings are projected onto a bust of Van Gogh as well as a Vase. The way they integrate music in the exhibit to match with the art projections is mesmerizing.
“Instead of trying to reproduce exactly what I see before me, I make more arbitrary use of color to express myself more forcefully.”
Part II: Complete Immersion
See Van Gogh’s art as a full environment! The DC exhibit has a recreation of The Bedroom which is really fun to analyze next to the three versions Van Gogh painted.
In my opinion the best part of the exhibit, and likely what you see the most advertised, is the entire room animated with projected paintings and images narrating the progression of his art and mental state. Again, the music is aligned with the animations in such a fantastic manner.
They include quotes and sound effects to make you really feel a part of the scene! The paintings are projected not only on the walls around you but onto the floor itself too. Appropriate given the name of the exhibit – the effect is really immersive!
“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.”
Part III: The Convent
The end of the immersive room as well as the final parts of the exhibit highlight the deterioration of Van Gogh’s mental health.
The Van Gogh Immersive Experience does an amazing job of providing insight into the artist and his work as well as seeing his paintings in a different way. In DC, masks are required and the space is quite large making it easy to stay apart from other visitors.
Have you been to the exhibit? I am curious how the exhibit may differ between locations!
5 Comments
Emily Johnston
It looks so beautiful here and such an immersive experience! I’d love to visit it one day!
Emily
Life Between the Dishes
Thanks for sharing! We are going in Birmingham soon and can’t wait!
designflagstore
I would love to buy them once this whole lockdown thing is over.
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dodicipizza4938
This looks amazing. Missed the experience though when they came to Phoenix. Glad I got to see these pictures!
Alma
This looks like such an interesting and unique way to see Van Gogh’s masterpieces. Fascinating!