We’ve been hearing the hype about “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience”. It certainly sounds appealing: an interactive visual extravaganza (light projections, virtual reality) about the life and works of Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, a tumultuous but great soul who left the world at 37 and for us his brilliant art.
As exhibition producers, Exhibition Hub Edutainment and Fever, which calls itself “an entertainment discovery platform,” claim: “Have you ever dreamed of entering a painting? Now you can! “
Upon entering the black-walled exhibition hall, he is greeted with images of the artist: his self-portraits and a holographic-looking bust with changing colors. Van Gogh’s famous works made the sign: “The Starry Night” and vases, sunflowers, roses and more. You can launch into a staged “Bedroom in Arles,” and then, using Google VR, travel from the bedroom to the port of the River Rhône.
A ten-minute journey through “A Day in the Artist’s Life”, this virtual reality of “walking” through the fields, seeing the windmill and farm animals, trekking through the woods and then getting to the city is exciting . Happily it unbalances the movements of rich colors and images in this delightfully recreated natural world. Meanwhile, the artist musar is also heard about his art and the world. Simply stunning, especially when the full moon and sky appear.
Then there’s a spectacular 20,000-square-foot light and sound with two-story projections of Van Gogh’s works. Around the viewer, there are seats or cushions for the floor from where you can let everything wash over itself. Again, awesome. There is also a living room where you can color a work by Van Gogh and see it on screen to print. Of course, there is merchandise in the lobby: coffee cups and yoga mats. (By the way, all the proper Covid-19 protocols are observed.)
So for Washingtonians accustomed to having their museums free, the tickets are: $ 39.90 for adults; $ 19.90 for Kids: Is It Worth the Trip? In a word, yes … yes. And he plans to spend more than an hour in “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.”
There is free parking right in front of the showroom, which is part of the mixed Bryant Street project that includes the Coda condominiums and the newly opened subway.
“Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” is located at 524 Rhode Island Ave NE; Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Underground Station is nearby. Open on weekdays, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m .; Saturday, Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
A drawing studio in “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo of Georgetowner.
Artist’s words in “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo of Georgetowner.
