After dazzling more than 9 million visitors across 80 cities worldwide, the world’s most-visited immersive multisensory experience, Van Gogh Alive, will be coming to Skellefteå this summer. Gerald Laffey reports.
The Van Gogh Alive exhibition, created by Grande Experiences of Port Melbourne, Australia, is a popular and innovative display of art that uses multimedia technology to showcase the life and work of Vincent van Gogh. The exhibition has been seen by over 9 million visitors worldwide, and it has become a global phenomenon.
Multimedia tech
The exhibition’s use of multimedia technology, such as the SENSORY4 system, creates a multisensory experience that is both informative and entertaining. Visitors are taken through Van Gogh’s life and career, from the Netherlands to Paris, Arles, Saint-Remy, and finally, Auvers-sur-Oise, where the artist’s life ended tragically.
The exhibition’s projection of Van Gogh’s paintings onto multiple screens is visually stunning and enables visitors to experience the artist’s work in a unique and immersive way.
Total genius
The projections are accompanied by quotations from Van Gogh’s letters and classical music that adds to the overall atmosphere of the exhibition.
While the exhibition’s approach may not suit everyone, it is a useful introduction to Van Gogh’s genius and a reminder of his contribution to the art world. The exhibition’s commercial intent may be apparent, but it still offers enough merit to make it worth seeing.
Ignore the critics
One of the highlights of the exhibition is the small side-room that includes an abundance of mirrors and artificial sunflowers, creating an engaging and interactive experience. Visitors can also explore a recreation of Van Gogh’s bedroom in Arles, where they can have their photographs taken. Critics have been divided in their opinions of the exhibition, with some suggesting that it lacks substance and is too commercial. However, the exhibition’s popularity and accessibility suggest that it has succeeded in bringing Van Gogh’s art to a wider audience and in inspiring new generations to appreciate his work.
Make art accessible
And that surely cannot be a bad thing. Yes, it would be preferable if we could see van Gogh’s bold brushstrokes and the textural waves of his paint on canvas, but this is the next best thing. Anything that attracts new people to great art is to be applauded. So, don’t miss this spectacular show.
Visit vangoghalive.se to book tickets. The exhibition is at Eddahallen, Skellefteå from June 2nd until August 27th 2023.
