Van Gogh
is alive…
An experience? Well, it’s certainly not an exhibition, nor is it even an entertainment show. It is simply an at times mind-blowing experience, as you find yourself immersed in Van Gogh's art in its most amazing dynamic details. The artistic duo of Rob and Nick have worked with a team of cutting edge software programmers and visual effect specialists to create an astounding homage to Van Gogh's famous Sunflower and other paintings, using all the power and potential of modern innovatory technology. The entirety of the rooms in the special and enormous marquee space pulse almost overwhelmingly with imagery, deluging visitors with this light-and-video artists’ rendering of Van Gogh’s thick paint daubs, his fuzzy distant stars - and the sunflowers, of course.
The experience is thus framed in a 4D that Van Gogh never knew, with an incredible assembly of rapidly evolving and exhilarating moving images as visitors follow the brushwork developing even as they watch, which becomes particularly exhilarating when sunflower bouquets and starry Provençal nights inundate the space. The whole experience is interspersed with relevant quotes from Vincent’s letters, making it poignantly personal and tranquil. Our senses are further and entrancingly stimulated by the digital sound system that beautifully saturates the space, entrancing another sense with modern renderings of classical scores from composers ranging from Claude Debussy to Erik Satie. The whole profusion is interspersed with relevant quotes from Vincent’s letters, making it poignantly personal and tranquil.
After our 45 minutes encounter with this digital projection, my plus one, a Director of Artificial Intelligence and a TED speaker) volunteered this perceptive and succinct summary of the experience that had been our great good fortune, which was that “Technology is taking it to a new 3D/ 4D level using a multi-sensory experience from the music, visual effects, life-size replicas of the bedroom and sunflower fields, immersing the viewer in what you are made to feel is like Van Gogh’s world, or even his mind.” From a robot recreating a sunflower to the multi-sensory conflation of sound and of Van Gogh’s artistry and story portrayed through digital imagery, this experience enables his art to come to the masses in the modern sense of the word, and opens up endless possibilities where art meets technology.
Whilst you ramble around this astounding space dedicated to the visual richness of the wonderful world of Van Gogh, it’s hard to believe that this Dutch artist only sold one painting in his lifetime. And it is even harder to understand that, depressed by the overwhelming feeling that his paintings weren’t appreciated, his mental health deteriorated so much that he cut off his left ear. If only he could see what incredible things are happening now to display his art, and how enthusiastically the public here and elsewhere are reacting with awe for the talent of this wonderful artist.
Jump forward almost a century and a half, then and experience why he is now one of the world’s best known and admired artists. Here, against the stunning backdrop of Kensington Garden, the immersive creators of Grande experience have installed giant screens, imaginatively projecting some of the most famous paintings of the Dutch master in high definition. Sarah pointed out knowledgeably that people have always been sceptical about reproductions of art whether in printed or other form. But this 4D projection was imaginatively and effectively conceived to bring art to the masses through the enabling power of multi-media. The result is that you can immerse yourself in an awe-inspiring experience that celebrates Van Gogh’s wonderful work. It’s a truly touching celebration of a man who definitely still lives on.
With thanks to Fever
