Imagine walking into a darkened room where the delicate notes of Handel and Schubert play in the background. Enormous screens adorn every wall from floor to ceiling as well as large pillars scattered throughout a wide, open space. On the floor several platforms rise up, all covered in white canvas screens. There is no light, but for a few small bulbs shining from projectors on the ceiling. The darkness is eerie and disorienting, but anticipation builds for a moment of magic. The music rises and then it happens . . . . brilliant colors and the brushstrokes of a master artist wrap the room in a vibrant embrace. To see a Van Gogh painting in person is a moving experience, but to see his paintings move across multiple screens and swirl around me is something else entirely.
A traveling exhibit known as Van Gogh Alive, tells the story of Vincent Van Gogh’s life through the chronicle of his paintings. His time in Paris, those wild sunflowers, the infamous fight with Gaughin, the only painting he ever sold, the pain of mental illness, his love of life and nature . . . it’s all there in Vincent’s own hand.
As his paintings scroll across the screens, quotes in his writing rotate on two different walls. Despite his inner turmoil, Van Gogh’s soul was one of love, wonder, and hope. One quote in particular stood out to me as it truly sums up the character of Van Gogh:
I would rather die of passion than of boredom.
Put me on that list as well.
The immense scale of the exhibit gives viewers a chance to walk through Van Gogh’s work and appreciate every speck of paint and every erratic stroke. Everything from sketches, finished paintings, and even handwritten letters and journal entries fill the screens. While they may not be the real thing, the projections have an equally strong emotional impact. I’ll be the first to admit, I was deeply effected when swallowed whole by Starry Night. My favorite painting surrounded me on all sides, lit up, and full of Van Gogh’s passion. I was standing right in the middle of that star speckled navy blue sky and for a moment, I had to fight the tears.
Van Gogh lives on in a way he never could have imagined and I like to think he’d approve. While an unorthodox art exhibit, Van Gogh Alive is a truly remarkable experience.
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Here’s a peek at the exhibit via the Arizona Science Center:
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For more information on Van Gogh Alive, click here for the official website.
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c.b. 2012
Wish I lived close enough to see this. Wonderful.
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Hopefully, it will stop in a city close to you. 🙂
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Wow. Me, too, K. 🙂
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🙂 Sounds good to me.
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Oh my gosh!!!!! I am SO glad you posted this. I DO live here and somehow the news of this phenomenal exhibit escaped my notice. It is on my MUST see list. It sounds really terrific. I loved the impressionists and I SO Love Vincent….thank you!!!
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I hope you have a wonderful time. 🙂 A friend of mine reminded me of it a couple of weeks ago and I’m so glad she did. It is truly a fantastic experience!
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a magical moment.
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Indeed. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing! So descriptive.
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I love it when I have viable reason to use a ton of adjectives. 🙂
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🙂
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What a great description. And I’m glad to see the video; it really is hard to imagine the scene from words.
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That video is how I convinced my husband to come with me. 🙂
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That looks absolutely AMAZING! Do you think it will ever become a traveling exhibit? I would love to see it at the WAG (Winnipeg Art Gallery). 🙂
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It is a traveling exhibit, so maybe it’ll swing by Winnipeg. 🙂
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That would be wonderful! I can’t wait! 🙂
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That was really powerful, thanks for sharing. I hope to see this exhibit some day!
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I hope you do, too!
I seem to be running into Vincent a lot lately. Sometimes I think he’s trying to tell me something. 😉
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WOW!!!!! what an amazing experience.
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It really was incredible. 🙂 I’m so glad I was able to go.
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Love his thick use of paint texture and bright colors – so sensory. I did see a show of his work once and was especially surprised by the size of the Potato Pickers (or Eaters), one of his early works. I hope the show comes my way. I’ll check out the website.
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I hope you get to see this! In some parts of the exhibit, they piece together a sketch, stroke by stroke. As an artist, I think you’d love to see something like that. 🙂
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I tried to find out where the show will move to next but couldn’t find out. I’ll keep eyes and ears open…
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I am so glad that you went!! Your descriptions are so right on. It’s an experience that stays with you and I do think Vincent would approve.
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Thank you so much for reminding me to go! 🙂 It was so inspiring and a simply beautiful way to spend the morning.
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Wish I lived closer to it too. That must be … magical!
With regards to the quote; ‘wouldn’t we all?!’ 😀
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I hope it comes to a place near you! 🙂 Let’s be optimistic!
Absolutely. Passion above boredom any day!
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I think you and I have exchanged our Van Gogh experiences before…but, you are correct, in person viewing is a delight. I was so grateful for the show I saw in Chicago years ago. Love the quote..so true ~
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We have, indeed. 🙂 I thought of when walking through this exhibit.
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Oh this is so magical! Even though the video didn’t work, I can imagine what a magical and extraordinary experience it was! I’d love to see it one day for myself! 🙂
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I’m so glad you enjoyed this! It was an amazing exhibit, unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I hope it’s still up and running for more people to see.
p.s. I’m working on fixing the video!
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Oh that’s great! I’ll be looking forward to watching it! 🙂
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