If you live in San Francisco or Los Angeles and are a fan of Vincent van Gogh, you undoubtedly have been jealous of art lovers in Chicago and Toronto, as they’ve been graced with the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit.
Now, however, the massive digital presentation of Van Gogh’s work is set to make its West Coast premier on March 18 at San Francisco’s SVN West — one-time home of the Fillmore West. The exhibit will also begin a run in Los Angeles on May 27 — at a venue to be named later.
Famous for oil-on-canvas paintings including Starry Night and Sunflowers, Van Gogh is one of the world’s most well-known artists. The Dutch post-impressionist painter’s work is noted for his bold colors, thick brushstrokes, and liberal amounts of paint to create landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and self-portraits.
The Immersive Van Gogh experience made its world premiere in Toronto, where it is still impressing crowds. The exhibit is also currently in Chicago, where its stay has been extended due to overwhelming demand. The San Francisco experience will use 300,000 cubic feet of high-definition digital projections, along with music, allowing art lovers to “step inside” Van Gogh’s works. The installation includes The Potato Eaters, Starry Night, Sunflowers, The Bedroom, and other works.
A Different Type Of Exhibit
The exhibit is designed and conceived by Artistic Director Massimiliano Siccardi and features mood-setting music by Italian composer and pianist Luca Longobardi.
“The exhibit isn’t just van Gogh’s work projected onto walls,” co-producer Corey Ross told TravelAwaits. “The work also isn’t shown in a linear timeline. Instead, Massimiliano Siccardi took a unique approach to create a story that flows through the piece to show what was flashing through Van Gogh’s life. It’s a very moving, and emotional, experience.”
Immersive Van Gogh San Francisco was originally planned to run through at least May 31, but its stay has been extended until September 6 due to “several weeks of record-breaking advance ticket sales,” organizers announced.
“The reception we have received from San Francisco Bay Area ticket buyers has been enthusiastic and welcoming,” Ross said, The Mercury News reports.
The exhibit in Los Angeles has also been extended until September 6.
It’s Safe To Gogh
Although San Francisco recently extended its COVID-related stay-at-home order, Immersive Van Gogh organizers say the show is “Safe to Gogh.”
Among other steps taken to ensure safety, the venue will operate at reduced capacity to ensure there is sufficient space for visitors to practice distancing. Social distancing circles are projected onto the floor throughout the exhibition gallery space so visitors know where to safely stand. Touchless hand sanitizing stations are placed throughout the venue, staff and guests will have their temperature taken upon arrival, and contactless payment is encouraged.
For more information, please check the full list of safety measures.
Ticket information for Immersive Van Gogh San Francisco can be found here, and ticket information for the Los Angeles exhibit can be found here.
Finally, note that the exhibit contains sequences of bright flashing lights. This is an important consideration for visitors who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy and others who are sensitive to moving lights.
For more on art around the world, keep our art category on hand.
