Across social media and in nearly 40 cities in the U.S. alone, people are walking through Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings — or at least projections of them.
The immersive Van Gogh craze is coming to North Texas this summer with two of the five exhibits currently touring the U.S. stopping in Dallas. The Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit and Van Gogh: the Immersive Experience, hereby known as the Exhibit and the Experience. That’s our attempt to clarify what is clearly confusing: the two shows will be competing for the same audience with almost identical products. The products are advertised so similarly that New York’s Better Business Bureau had to issue a warning to make sure people knew what show they had purchased tickets for.
When: will be running from August 7 until October 3 at the Lighthouse Dallas in the East Quarter. The Exhibit was originally set to open on June 17 but it was pushed back to August 7. Tickets will be moved back, so that if they were purchased for the opening day in June will be moved to the opening day in August. If ticketholders cannot attend the new time, they can change their dates or request a refund.
Tickets:
- VIP Tickets for $99. This ticket gives you priority access, a Van Gogh cushion (to keep), a limited edition poster, a VIP souvenir laminate, and built-in FLEX perks.
- Flex Tickets for $54.99 – $59.99. This ticket gives you flexibility to arrive up to 2 hour prior to or after your selected start time, although this is subject to the hours the exhibit is open.
- Peak-Time Tickets for $49.99.
- Off-Peak Time Tickets for $39.99.
- Child Tickets for $29.99.
Claim to fame: The Exhibit was shown on the Netflix TV show “Emily in Paris,” and features consecutive rooms with the same video projection by Massimiliano Siccardi with a soundtrack by Luca Longobardi. Viewers can sit on the floor or on benches if they do not have the VIP tickets, which come with a cushion.
When: Begins Wednesday, July 21 and run until November 28 at an as yet undisclosed location.
Tickets:
- Standard Tickets
- Adult: $34.90
- Child (12 and under): $19.90
- Family Pass: $22.40 (Two Adults two children)
- For an additional child in the family pass: $16.20
- Student or Military: $24.90
- VIP Tickets which includes the ability entry and ability to skip the line for the VR experience (which standard ticket holders must pay access to onsite) and a limited edition poster.
- Adult: $54.50
- Child: $34.90
Claim to fame: The Experience similarly has video projections of Van Gogh’s work, but offers more background information on his life and has beach chairs for spectators to sit on. This show also offers a 10 minute VR experience that supposedly walks the spectator through a day in Van Gogh’s life, however this experience must be purchased on site by standard ticket holders.
Critics and fans
While the New York Times critic Jason Farago did not seem to enjoy either exhibit remarking in his critique that “Like Vincent, I too suffer for my art, and so I attended both of them,” he did recommend the Exhibit over the Experience because he thought the graphics were better.
Quality control was the biggest concern of Chris Garcia, a North Texas Van Gogh fan, who purchased tickets in April for October tickets to the Experience. He has since cancelled those tickets and is planning on purchasing tickets to the Exhibit. In his free time, he has traveled to see van Gogh’s paintings in person and has even recreated a few of his paintings. For him, this is just another way to experience van Gogh’s art.
“I think it is an experience of seeing a painting on a wall that is pretty small. It is almost like an ability to walk amongst or in the painting,” Garcia said. “I have done a few copies of his works just to learn and get a better idea of how he painted, his approach, and how he did it. [The projections] being so large gives a great opportunity for that.”
While the Experience has more of a focus on education, including into his methodology, Farago remarked that it was the same amount of information as his “wikipedia entry.” He also pointed out that both exhibits painted van Gogh as “as a lone, tortured genius rather than a figure of history” whose artistic style, while innovative, was part of a wider movement away from impressionism.
Cindy Ingram is the owner of Art Class Curator, an organization dedicated to introducing art teachers and their students to more art, and she has heard similar criticisms within her art education circles. However, she is very strongly in favor of these exhibits and is planning on attending one of the two immersive van Gogh events when they come to Dallas.
She says that arguments against these sorts of exhibits can be elitist because they often imply the only correct way to experience art is in museums, which many people do not feel welcomed in. Even if people are only going to the immersive experiences for an Instagram post and even if they don’t learn anything new, Ingram still thinks they are important.
“You know there is a lot that art offers and it is not about teaching you something,” Ingram said. “I think a lot of people go to museums thinking: I am going to go to a museum to learn about art. I think you should go to experience art to learn about yourself.”
FAQs
Verdict: If you prefer a closer representation of Van Gogh's paintings, “Imagine Van Gogh” is the one to visit. If you're seeking something closer to an IMAX experience, “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” could be the better choice.
Is the Van Gogh immersive experience worth it? ›
The Van Gogh Immersive Experience is absolutely worth a visit! It is an incredibly moving celebration of Van Gogh's art and does an amazing job of presenting it in a way like never before.
Are the paintings at Van Gogh immersive experience real? ›
Rather than the actual paintings, Van Gogh's works are showcased through a creative blend of art, storytelling and technology. It begins with a walk through hallways lined with canvas prints and digital displays of the artist's most famous paintings, including his self portraits.
How long does it take to get through the Beyond Van Gogh experience? ›
Duration. The visit will take around one hour with final entry one hour before close.
Which is better immersive Van Gogh or immersive Monet? ›
How immersive is Beyond Monet? There are a few differences between Immersive Van Gogh and Beyond Monet, but the main one is that Beyond Monet is full of historical context that clearly spells out the show's themes. The former is strictly a sensory experience with little background on the artist provided.
Which Van Gogh experience is best? ›
Knowing anything about Van Gogh only very slightly adds to the experience in either case—in fact, “Immersive Van Gogh” probably works slightly better than “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” precisely because it unburdens itself more completely of the half-hearted attempt to be educational, and so feels more ...
How long do people spend at the Van Gogh experience? ›
– Van Gogh – The Immersive Experience. The visit will take approximately one hour. Is there a place to leave bags/coats?
What is an immersive experience? ›
An immersive experience describes the perception of being surrounded by – and being a part of – a different environment than our normal day to day. This could be facilitated with technology like Virtual Reality goggles or a physical environment like a theme park attraction with multi-media components.
Is the Van Gogh VIP package worth it? ›
There was no line for any of it and often times there were few enough people that you really could see yourself in the works. HOWEVER, although the VIP package is “worth it” monetarily and theoretically, it most certainly is NOT worth more for the average person.
How much time do you need in Van Gogh? ›
How much time should I spend at the Van Gogh Museum? Depending on how much time you spend on each exhibit, the visit can take anything between 1 hour to 2 hours. On average, visitors spend 1 hour and 15 minutes to properly explore the permanent exhibit.
Very few photographs of world-famous artist Vincent Van Gogh, are known to exist. In fact, there is only one confirmed photographic portrait of him, and that was taken in 1873 when Vincent was only 19 years old, about 10 years before he began painting.
What is a famous quote from Van Gogh? ›
“Art is to console those who are broken by life.” “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” “I try more and more to be myself, caring relatively little whether people approve or disapprove.” “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.”
Can you bring water in Van Gogh? ›
Outside food and beverages (including alcohol) Food of any type is not permitted in the gallery. Any item deemed by exhibit security or venue management to be inappropriate. Bikes, helmets, skateboards, Heelys, rollerblades, and non-mobility aid scooters are not permitted.
How long is the queue at the Van Gogh Museum? ›
If you plan to get them at the attraction, you must get in the ticketing window queue. Depending on the time of the day (and month), you may have to wait in the ticket counter line for 15 minutes to two hours to buy your ticket. The second and better option is to book tickets to Van Gogh Museum online.
Which museum has the best Van Gogh paintings? ›
For the largest collection of Van Gogh works, head to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam where you will see over 200 of his paintings including The Potato Eaters, Almond Blossom, Wheatfield with Crows, self-portraits, plus many of his drawings and letters.
Are there other exhibits like Beyond Van Gogh? ›
In terms of its attractions, “Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience” sounds very similar to “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” It centers on a 35-minute light projection show digitizing 300 paintings and sketches by the artist, as well as a reproduction of Monet's home in Giverney.
Where is the best Van Gogh collection? ›
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
The world's largest collection of Van Gogh art can – fittingly – be found in the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam. It is here that art lovers will also find what is considered by many to be the Dutchman's first masterpiece, The Potato Eaters.
How many different Van Gogh experiences are there? ›
Here's Our Guide to Every Single One of the Nearly 50 Immersive Van Gogh Experiences Blanketing the U.S., and What Makes Each Unique.
What is the highest selling Van Gogh? ›
Portrait of Dr Paul Gachet (1890): $152 Million
Sold in 1990 for a whopping $83 million, Portrait of Dr Paul Gachet, painted in 1890, is the most expensive Van Gogh painting. This Van Gogh painting's price generally span the millions; hence the current estimated value sits at $152 million.
Is Van Gogh better than Picasso? ›
Picasso outlived Van Gogh by 55 years but what Vincent accomplished in his short career is astounding. They are both giants of the art world and both worth seeing. Of the two exhibitions: Van Gogh is the better painter but Picasso has the better paintings. Who's the Greatest Artist?
The immersive experience: It is a fully immersive room with a 360° digital show. 60 projectors bring 200 Van Gogh's masterpieces to life on a 1000 m2 surface. The projections animate the floor and all the walls around the visitors, creating a great immersive experience.
How much does the Van Gogh immersive experience cost? ›
Basic timed tickets begin at $39.99.
How long is Van Gogh exhibit Las Vegas? ›
'Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience' at AREA15
The AREA15 exhibit opened in April and was supposed to end in July. It remains ongoing and no end date has been announced.
Why do people want immersive experiences? ›
Immersive experiences can give people the ability to do what they may not have been able to do, or to do things in a unique way.
Why are immersive experiences so popular? ›
Immersive art provides the opportunity for the public to experience art as more than simply looking. It's an experience that is interactive and can bring a whole new dimension to the way a piece or installation is appreciated.
What makes a good immersive experience? ›
An immersive experience should evoke emotion and imagination. The best way to do that is to incorporate the senses through details that bring those moments to life. Sound, imagery, the temperature of the room, the smell and feel of the air. Every piece brings visitors deeper into your story.
Do VIP tickets mean you meet the artist? ›
Packages vary from artist to artist, but each package may include front row tickets, an autograph or a pre-show party. Some may even include the opportunity for a meet and greet with the artist or experience a sound check!
What do you get with premium Van Gogh tickets? ›
VIP Ticket
- Priority access and admission.
- Cushion rental.
- Limited edition poster.
- VIP souvenir laminate.
- Flexibility to arrive +/- one hour of your time – subject to public opening hours.
Tickets: VIP Tickets for $99. This ticket gives you priority access, a Van Gogh cushion (to keep), a limited edition poster, a VIP souvenir laminate, and built-in FLEX perks.
Is there a dress code for the Van Gogh exhibition? ›
There is no strict dress code to visit Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience. Just make sure to wear comfortable clothes according to the weather. Touring the exhibit will take you upwards of an hour so carry a bottle of water in case you need a quick drink.
While there's no specific dress code, you should keep in mind that you won't be able to bring rucksacks, umbrellas or larger backpacks and items into the museum. Jackets and handbags are allowed, while all other items will have to be left in the cloakroom. There are no lockers at the museum.
Why isn t Starry Night in the Van Gogh Museum? ›
Answer and Explanation: The Starry Night is not in the Vincent Van Gogh Museum because they do not own the painting. The painting was purchased from a private Dutch collection around 1941 by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MoMA) in New York City.
What is enough Van Gogh? ›
“And then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that's not enough, what is enough?” – Vincent van Gogh - Van Gogh Quotes.
Where is the starry night? ›
Detail of: Vincent van Gogh, The Starry Night, 1889. Van Gogh's rolling night sky full of bright stars is probably one of the world's most famous artworks. The Starry Night's home is at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
What makes Van Gogh so good? ›
Van Gogh had an exceptional way of using luminous colours and fiery strokes to express his emotions and thoughts, using simple objects like in Plate of Onions (1889) and Tree Roots (1890) or a nightmarish café scene like in The Night Café (1888).
Can you record the Van Gogh immersive experience? ›
– Van Gogh – The Immersive Experience. Yes, pictures and videos are allowed, and even encouraged to share via social media.
What is Van Gogh crazy? ›
Most likely Van Gogh suffered from comorbid illnesses. Since young adulthood, he likely developed a (probably bipolar) mood disorder in combination with (traits of) a borderline personality disorder as underlying vulnerability.
What spot did Van Gogh shoot himself? ›
On 27 July 1890, in a field near Auvers, Vincent shot himself in the chest with a revolver. He died two days later, with his brother Theo at his bedside.
Are the paintings in the Van Gogh experience real? ›
A Van Gogh immersive experience is any of a number of real-life or virtual reality (VR) exhibits of Vincent van Gogh's paintings.
How many fake Van Gogh paintings are there? ›
It is interesting that all the nine recently reattributed works are from Van Gogh's last four years, when he was working in France (1886-90). Most are from his two years in Paris.
Famous quotes in English
| Quote | Who | Language |
|---|
| That's one small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind. | Neil Armstrong | English |
| The love of money is the root of all evil. | the Bible | Greek |
| The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. | Franklin D. Roosevelt | English |
| The truth will set you free. | the Bible | Greek |
54 more rowsThe authors postulate that after he was fatally wounded, van Gogh welcomed death and believed the boys had done him a favour, hence his widely quoted deathbed remark: "Do not accuse anyone...
What did Picasso say about Van Gogh? ›
“Of all the artists with whom Picasso identified, Van Gogh is the least often cited but probably the one that meant the most to him in later years. He talked of him as his patron saint, talked of him with intense admiration and compassion, never with any of his habitual irony or mockery.
What is the difference between the two Van Gogh exhibits in Boston? ›
Two completely different, but seemingly similar exhibits will feature the Dutch artist's paintings this year. Imagine Van Gogh: The Immersive Exhibition is a projected installation, while Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, is seen somewhat through virtual reality headsets.
Which Van Gogh experience is better in Houston? ›
Winner: "Immersive Van Gogh" is the undisputed champion. While venturing out to Brittmoore Road can be a bit of a trek for those who don't live on the northwest side, “Immersive Van Gogh” is a destination campus. There's an outdoor, onsite bar at the main entrance. Drinks and food are allowed inside.
Who profits from Van Gogh immersive experience? ›
Ross and his team, including producing partner Svetlana Dvoretsky, estimate that collectively they have sold about 4.5 million tickets, translating into roughly $250 million in revenue, to all their “Immersive Van Gogh” presentations, including ones in Chicago, Toronto and San Francisco.
What is the difference between the 2 Van Gogh exhibits in NYC? ›
They are, luckily, quite simple to tell apart. One is called "Immersive Van Gogh," while the other is called "Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience." One is in lower Manhattan, while the other is in lower Manhattan.
Is there more than one Van Gogh immersive experience in Boston? ›
Apparently, it's mega-size versions of Vincent Van Gogh paintings. In the coming year, not one, but two immersive Van Gogh exhibitions will be coming to the city. Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience and Imagine Van Gogh will both open in Boston in 2021, the first in September and the second in December.
What are the variations of Starry Night by Van Gogh? ›
Van Gogh made no less than 21 variations of the Starry Night under different light conditions and weather, just because he wasn't completely satisfied with the final output. In fact, in a letter to painter Émile Bernard, Van Gogh called this painting a failure.
What is the one piece of art that Van Gogh sold? ›
The Red Vineyard is among Van Gogh's most dramatically coloured Provençal landscapes, but it is also famed for being the only painting that the artist is certain to have sold. It went for 400 francs (then £16) at a Brussels exhibition in March 1890, four months before his suicide.
What is the closest station to Van Gogh immersive experience? ›
By Underground – the nearest Underground stations in walking distance are South Kensington (Circle and District lines), Knightsbridge (Piccadilly line), Lancaster Gate (Central line) and High Street Kensington station (Circle and District lines).
What is the difference between the 2 Van Gogh exhibits in Dallas? ›
The experience watching these animated paintings is very similar to that of Arlington Van Gogh. The main difference between the two projections themselves is that Dallas Van Gogh has no narrative structure and the only way you know you've come to the end of the projection are the credits after the final work of art.
