This exhibition has been around the world and to various parts of the UK. It is a totally different way of experiencing art.
It was a warm day the day we went to the exhibition, though it began cloudy. We walked from Victoria station, taking in the gardens of Hyde Park before reaching Kensington Gardens, where we ate lunch. The sun was out by then and it had become hot.
At 1pm we entered the temporary exhibition site close to the Albert Memorial. All the information about the experience, along with details about Van Gogh’s life, the paintings and how/when he came to paint them are on boards before you enter the experience itself. There is also a mock-up of Van Gogh’s bedroom where you can take photos. You are able to sit on the chair (the chair is wiped down each time to make it safe!).
Entering the experience itself, you are greeted by music and huge screens with every changing paintings. There are the 2 metre roundels showing where you may stand or sit. Sitting is the best option as the experience lasts about one hour. When we entered, the film was about half way through. We sat in the first area, but later moved forward as people standing were blocking our view. All around you – to the front, sides and back, sometimes even on the floor, the paintings move and change. The film is nicely put together, going through Van Gogh’s life, and the music matches the mood of the painter. Van Gogh was a prolific letter writer (he often illustrated his letters with sketches), and some of his words are displayed alongside paintings.
Many of the images are 3D and cleverly done so that birds fly, trains move between paintings. We stayed to see the film from its beginning until almost the end again. The room is air conditioned. There are no seats, so you must be prepared to either stand or sit on the floor. We loved the experience so much we could have happily stayed there all day. A nice day bed would have been handy!
Coming out of the main room, you enter the sunflower room. This is small but with mirrored walls and ceiling, it appears far bigger. From there you exit into the shop. There are toilets, and a cafe. However, we found somewhere outside to have a drink, which was probably cheaper!
Would I recommend this? Yes! The friend I was with did not know much beyond the Sunflowers painting of Van Gogh’s, and she was amazed how many paintings he did. I always feel sad that artists such as Van Gogh, who struggled to make a living, never knew how famous he would be. He struggled too with his mental health (it was later thought that he was bipolar), and he was happiest when he was painting.
I have been to Van Gogh exhibitions in the past, but this was certainly different. I think it would appeal to all kinds of people. The way it is presented, you have to do nothing but watch. No squinting at plagues by paintings to read about it. No waiting behind people to get a glimpse of art works. It’s there, right in front of you. It bombards you, it is in your face art, and it is moving.
My London+ 