"I dream of painting and then I paint my dream" - V.V.G.
I want to start off by saying I don't really understand how this experience has such horrible rating that it doesn't deserve. Also, like many, I was very skeptical of coming here. All I ever saw was the trendy ig things. I couldn't believe how such a well renowned, respected and amazing artist had just become a trendy faze on social media. You know: getting the cool projector shots and just coming here to take pictures.
If you're here for this ^^^^ please don't come because you will be disappointed. You'll pay a high price and low key be kind of upset that you came here just for photos.
Here's why you should come: if you're like me, Van Gogh was not my favorite artist. It's actually Salvador Dalì. Kind of like night and day. I didn't really understand Van Gogh, his art, why the big deal, why the starry night. I've seen this original painting at the Met Museum and yes, I was totally blown away. Because I didn't understand or know him as an artist that's where it all stopped for me.
The Van Gogh Experience is basically an art history book in 3D. It's very much alive.
My hubby surprised me with this as a date night because he just knows me way too well. We arrived at the time for our tickets, got checked in, yes, they do check vaccination and yes everyone is wearing their masks except for quick photos. Once you check in, get your badge, the experience starts. His most infamous quotes are resounded through the whole place with really amazing sound. The timelines of his life and description of things were very easy to follow. Very unboring. I definitely recommend NOT skipping reading every detail about his life because it leads up to the next thing, the why's the many things we know but we don't know. The infamous ear incident. Where he painted from. The mental illnesses he suffered from that at the time, were just a taboo. He's SO relatable. Crazy the amount of art he made in his short career as an artist.
It was amazing to see The Bedroom in Arles in 3D. How everything is way off in perspective, but he intentionally made it that way. It's amazing to read everything about this piece and the other pieces he had created.
Obviously nothing is original here but it's beautiful to see many of his artwork here, together, telling a story.
By the time I finished the whole timeline, saw more of his artwork, knew his story. The where, the why the how. Walked into THEE immersive room with the large projection and my mouth dropped under my mask. My heart skipped a beat. My eyes puddled up with enough twinkle to fill them and shed a couple of tears. Happy, understood, heartbeating, tears.
I could not believe how amazing this was. The photos weren't even as important anymore as the space. Space laid with rugs, chairs, benches. You are meant to be there, immersed into his artwork. In literal life. This left me speechless.
The cutest part was being able to go into the creative room and color your own Van Gogh art. You get a new box of crayons, little table area and disinfecting things because you know, covid. The best thing? You then scan it and get to see it on the wall next to his other paintings. So fun and inspiring. You can take your little art home or hang it up on the wall with the others.
Right when I thought it was over...it wasn't! Hubby got us the VIP that includes the VR experience. THIS WAS SOOOOO COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't skip this. It's so amazing and worth it. You get to travel to France and see what he saw!!!! The places he painted most of his famous art.
Overall, the Van Gogh Immersive Experience in NYC was beyond worth it. I left SO rich, encouraged, motivated and happy. I feel like I grew as a person, got to understand this legend, got to live through his eyes for just 2 hours but it was a ride I'll never forget. Such an amazing unforgettable experience. read more