There’s a new kind of museum that’s reviving interest in art. It’s called an “immersive” experience, and it’s making its Chicago debut at the Germania Club Building in Old Town.
In this multimedia spectacle, the famed paintings of Van Gogh are infused with animation, kinetic imagery and music, all rendered in a way that’s more like theater than traditional art. Cicadas buzz, water ripples and backing songs by Edith Piaf and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke add to the emotional resonance of the show.
What you need to know before you go
If you’re a fan of Van Gogh’s art, this exhibit is a must-see. The interactive experience is a blend of state-of-the-art technology, cinematic storytelling and a multimedia presentation that brings some of his most iconic works to life.
There are plenty of eye-popping moments throughout the experience, but one of the most striking was when I saw Starry Night. It was almost like real light reflected on the water, and when the sun rose, it was exactly how I imagined it would be in that painting.
The whole thing is set to a soundtrack that’s full of electronic music, as well as classical compositions. It also features a track from Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, which made me want to dance around.
The exhibit is divided into a large main room and smaller spaces. You can watch a loop of the show from the floor, a cushion, or a chair. The show is on a constant loop so you can stay as long as you’d like.
How to get there
If you’re looking for something a little different to do in Chicago, then you should check out the Immersive Van Gogh interactive exhibit. It’s a fun and engaging way to get into the mind of the artist, Vincent Van Gogh.
It’s also a great place to see some of the artist’s famous paintings. The light and video show is set to music, so it’s a sensory experience that will make you feel like you’re really “stepping inside” the paintings.
You can get there by either walking or taking public transportation. The closest metro stations are Sedgwick and Clark/Division.
The venue, Lighthouse ArtSpace, is in the historic Germania Club Building and features two galleries that project images of the artist’s works as they move, change and swirl around you. One gallery is smaller and more intimate with mirrored columns, while the other is more spacious and allows you to walk through to see it from various perspectives.
What to expect
Whether you’re familiar with his paintings or not, Van Gogh is an artist whose mystique is hard to resist. The Dutch Post-Impressionist is a self-martyred genius with an incredible talent for creating works of beauty that make us feel things.
In the new exhibit, called Immersive Van Gogh, you’ll lose yourself in 500,000 cubic feet of flawless projections animating over 400 of his most famous paintings. Unlike museum-style rows of paintings, the animated images in this immersive show change rapidly and are accompanied by original music composed by Italian multimedia composer Luca Longobardi.
In addition to large mirrored sculptural monoliths, the physical gallery space features 50 high-definition projectors that fill the walls and floors with vivid imagery. During the 35-minute presentation, you’ll see brush strokes transforming into a thousand spiky stars, black crows cackle, candles burn and purple irises unfurl. The experience is a true sensory overload! The fast-paced animations and booming soundtrack are a departure from how we normally see art, and they’re sure to draw you back for more.
Final words
The paintings of Vincent van Gogh have captured the hearts of audiences across the world. They’re some of the most iconic works in art history, and have inspired a vast number of books, podcasts and other projects over the years.
The new “Immersive Van Gogh” exhibit takes a fresh approach to presenting his work, reimagining what may have flashed before his eyes in the final moments of his life. It features large digital installations of his best-known work, accompanied by powerful soundtracks to enhance the experience.
A variety of music and quick transitions between animated pieces help re-enact the intensity that a painting can convey to viewers. A sequence imbuing Starry Night with twinkling stars and a kinetic depiction of pouring rain are among the eye-catching, psychedelic moments.
The exhibit also features several art stations where visitors can try their hand at painting sunflowers in the artist’s style or manipulate a 12-foot-wide interactive projection of one of his most famous paintings. It’s a unique experience for all those interested in the life and work of van Gogh.
