Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, Richmond

Whispers of “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” have filled my airwaves for several years now, from ads and from friends who’ve seen it firsthand. Now, the entertaining, informative, and striking exhibit has come to Richmond, Virginia.

After previewing the experience, I see what all the buzz is about. “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” includes exhibits, a large room with 360-degree projection technology, and virtual reality to surround you in colors, images, and the artist’s story and art. The 60- to 75-minute experience features spectacular images from Van Gogh’s artwork accompanied by glimpses into his life.

The artist’s life

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) created approximately 2,100 works of art, including nearly 900 oil paintings. The Dutch Post-Impressionist painter is known for landscapes, still lifes, peasant laborers, portraits, and self-portraits. His best-known paintings include “The Starry Night,” “Self-portrait with Bandaged Ear and Pipe,” “Irises,” and sunflowers, along with other portraits and paintings of flowers, cypresses, and orchards.

Throughout his life, Van Gogh showed signs of mental instability, with periods of solitude and depression, epilepsy and schizophrenia. He was also tuned in to the social problems of his time, and desired to help.

Despite his current fame, only one of his paintings was sold during his lifetime. His work gained widespread critical and commercial success only after his death. He has since come to represent the misunderstood artistic genius.

A 21st-century look at his life and art

“Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” transports you into this artist’s world, as you follow in his footsteps and step into his masterpieces. Quotes throughout the exhibits and words heard in the projection experience are his own, many taken from his letters to Théo, enhancing the empathic perception.

The walk-through experience begins with a series of exhibits – in addition to panels and reproductions of his art, the exhibition includes projections that bring the information to life, making it digestible and enjoyable.

The exhibits lead to a two-story, 20,000-square-foot, 360-degree video projection room. The walls flow with changing images, accompanied by music and words from the artist himself.

Next is a virtual-reality room, a virtual stroll through paintings and their backstories. (The VR experience is an add-on to the rest of the exhibition.

Together, the exhibits dive into parts of Vincent van Gogh’s life and art that many may be unaware of – his close relationship with his brother, Théo; time spent with friend and fellow artist Paul Gauguin, and the night van Gogh cut off part of his ear; stories behind well-known paintings; Van Gogh’s sisters and their lack of respect for his work; his sister-in-law’s efforts to promote his art; and so much more

Besides glamorous immersion in the artwork, the experience offers a glimpse into the mind of the artist and his struggles with human connection and belonging. The content highlights the importance of self-expression and the healing power of nature while raising awareness about mental health struggles.

The gift shop in the lobby includes an opportunity for guests to add their own color to van Gogh’s artworks, which can be projected onto the shop wall.

From Vincent van Gogh: “If you hear a voice within you say, ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means, paint, and that voice will be silenced.” Fortunately for us, he did.

FYI on “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience”

The experience has already appeared or is appearing in 50 cities worldwide, including DC, New York City, Los Angeles, Singapore, Tel Aviv, Berlin, and London. It will be in Richmond, Virginia, from Aug. 22 to Oct. 31 (or longer, if needed).

• Visitors choose a ticket day and time or purchase a Flex ticket for time flexibility on a selected day.
• Virtual reality is an add-on.
• Children are welcome.
• The venue is wheelchair accessible.

“Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience”

Aug. 22 to Oct. 31, 2024

Exhibition Hub Richmond Art Center

12151 W. Broad St., Henrico, VA

See Vincent van Gogh art near the source: Travel to Eclectic Amsterdam