The Van Gogh Immersive Experience: A Guide
My most recent experience and newest recommendation is the Van Gogh Immersive Experience that has been popping up around the country. This exhibit is the latest way to showcase art, with the main event being a giant room where the walls are covered in projections in order to make you feel like part of the painting.
After learning that it was coming to Atlanta, I immediately bought tickets. Not really knowing what to expect, I was a little worried that the tickets I had just paid for were not going to be worth it. Is sitting in a room full of projectors really going to be all that great? Well, after a long wait, it was finally my turn to go, and it was even more than I expected it to be.
Here is what the experience had to offer:
Beginning Your Experience:
Outside of the venue were a few food and drink stands that really made you feel like you were at a small festival. My boyfriend and I bought frozen lemonades, which was a good idea at first, but then we found out that we were not allowed to take them inside.
Once you enter the building, you are met with a beautiful wall (and your first photo op) with a mix of Sunflowers and Starry Night. Personally, I am a huge fan of sunflowers, so I knew I had to get some pictures.
After continuing to walk through, you enter the first kind of zone in the building, which is a more educational experience. All of the walls are covered in copies of Van Gogh’s work, insight into his life and his paintings, and different kinds of animations and videos.
There is also a replica of the room he painted and lived in for a few years in southern France. You are actually able to step into the room yourself and get a glimpse of what inspired Van Gogh during his stay at The Yellow House.
The Projection Room:
After you feel like you’ve learned all there is to learn, it is time to step into the main attraction. Walking into the massive room honestly felt unreal. I was not expecting the room to be as large as it was, and the projections matched with the classical music were beautiful. The “show” lasts for 30 or so minutes and continues to play on a loop, so you can watch it as many times as you want. It cycles through some of his most famous and colorful art as well as some of his darker pieces and self-portraits. No matter what is being shown at the moment, the music compliments it perfectly. I probably could have sat in there for hours if parking was free.
If you would like to see video of the Exhibit, you can view the Tik Tok I made here: vm.tiktok.com/ZMd3934x5/
Unleash Your Inner Artist
When you decide that you have spent enough time there, you can move on to the next zone, which is where you can either color some Van Gogh-inspired coloring sheets or pay to experience his paintings in VR. My boyfriend and I chose to pass on the VR, but we really enjoyed having some time to color. It had been so long since I colored, especially with crayons, so it was a really fun and nostalgic time.
After you are done coloring, you exit through the gift shop, of course, and if you are not wanting any merch, then you are truly done with the experience. However, I chose to buy a Sunflower postcard to add to my postcard collection. There is also a photo booth where you can take a picture in front of a green screen, putting you inside of a Van Gogh painting of your choice.
Overall, I can definitely say that the Van Gogh Immersive Experience was worth the money to me, and it was especially a great date night idea. It was something I had never done before, as well as a great educational opportunity. I would recommend buying tickets before it leaves Atlanta or the city closest to you.
13 Comments
katetoll
This is too cool!! I went to a similar exhibit in NYC, but it was focused mostly on creating a 3D experience from his paintings. I would love to go to this exhibit too!
Get Lost
What a fun experience! I love Van Gogh’s work so I’d love this exhibition! I definitely wou’dnt want to miss the photo op with the wall of sunflowers! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Cruisin' Lady
I am so excited to hear that this exhibit is coming to Asheville NC in November. Thanks for the preview!
Krista
That looks like such a fun experience! I’ve noticed that there are a few of these popping up around England as well but I haven’t been to one. I’ll have to see if there’s one close to me because it looks so cool.
Josy A
This looks soooo fun! It came to Vancouver earlier this year. I really wanted to go, but we weren’t vaccinated yet, so we didn’t make it. If I manage to visit somewhere when it’s open again I would love to see it. 🙂
I love your photos.
kmfiswriting
Love this sneak peek of the Van Gogh Immersive Experience! It’s coming to Minneapolis and we have tickets to see it in September. Can’t wait! Your pics are amazing!
shafinah.jaafar
gosh this looks so surreal! i hope it comes to where i am one of these days!
ildikomdd463b962f
This was exciting to read. I just a ticket for a VanGogh immersive experience in Chicago for September. I, too, questioned whether the price is steep for looking at projections of his paintings. I enjoyed reading your feedback on your experience.
Brittany
This looks so cool! I’ve been seeing a lot of people visit these lately and it’s making me want to visit, too. Thanks for sharing your experience!
skigrl985
We just went to a different Van Gogh exhibit (Van Gogh, Alive!) We weren’t able to get tickets to the Immersive one, but it looks really cool! I love that they made a replica of his room!
Guided by Destiny
Ah awesome! I’ve seen this popping up! Looks and sounds awesome!
Natalie
I went to the one in Chicago! They held yoga classes in the exhibit which was a really cool experience 🙂
Nina
This is so helpful! I was supposed to go to the original one in Toronto but then the pandemic cancelled my ticket. I’d love to try another one