Take a journey to explore the wonderment of art through the paintings of one of the
most influential artists of all time, Vincent van Gogh. Cincinnati is currently one of the
lucky chosen cities to feature the traveling exhibition that’s getting attention all over the
world! The immersive show is full of fascinating information about the life and work
of the artist along with the most incredible visuals that will have you in sheer awe at the
sight. The entire experience wakes up your senses and opens your mind to gain a
deeper appreciation for creativity and culture.
As you step inside of the exhibit you are greeted by a large sculpture of van Gogh’s
portrait. There is an overlay of his paintings projected onto the sculpture that dash and
dance over the surface mimicking the mind of the artist and how he interpreted things.
The show starts off with a timeline of his life to give you an idea of his background that
is educational and filled with fascinating facts. Van Gogh was a complex and
compelling artist and is probably the most well-known and recognizable painters in
history.
The Exhibit
Throughout the exhibit, you will find many quotes by van Gogh that are thought provoking
and motivational. The paintings themselves offer a glimpse into the artist’s compassion
and connection to nature and the quotes support them. “If you truly love nature, you will
find beauty everywhere.” By pairing his words with his paintings, you become
enthralled by the magnificent emotion that radiates through the work. Along with quotes
are sketches of the artist in progress work that shows you his process and how
everything started.
When you go further into the exhibition you come across engaging story projections that
reveal the techniques and skills of the artist that have audio descriptions that help guide
you through the work. There is another statue of a vase that changes into different
paintings of his flower series that shows gestural bursts of energy with each brush
stroke.
Additions to the Exhibit
There’s a small bar for refreshments, with a specialty cocktail in honor of the popular
painting, Starry Night. It’s a delicious drink to sip on while you walk around and watch
the visual displays. If you’re feeling compelled to make art in the likeness of van Gogh’s,
head to the section of the show for a reference to a studio where you can draw and color in pages of some of his famous pieces.
This show brings Vincent van Gogh’s paintings to life! It’s as if you’re inside of the
painting as it’s being created. The most spectacular part is the massive room with moving images all around you that has enchanting music playing in the distance. You
open a set of curtains to enter a large open space that is inviting and instantly impacts
you with overwhelming beauty. The projections are 2 stories high and are absolutely
stunning. There are multiple lounge areas and plenty of chairs to relax in and gaze at
the artwork as it transforms, shifts, and transcends you into a different dimension of
dazzling delight! There are rhythmic patterns of animated brushstrokes that go across
the wall in a 360-degree angle with movement of captivating colors and textures all
around you. It’s like stepping into a dream world that brings to light all the endless
opportunities that art has. Take it all in, this expressive atmosphere is something to sit
with for as long as you can.
There is a one-of-a-kind Virtual Reality experience that you can participate in that takes
you to a day in the life of Vincent van Gogh. Walk through a charming town in Europe
that the artist spent time in and where he found some of his sources of inspiration for his
work. As you take the same footsteps as he once did, you approach specific locations
that are 8 of his paintings and learn about why he painted them. Giving you a better
understanding of who he was and the things he did.
Where to Catch van Gogh’s Work
Another super cool aspect of this exhibition being in Cincinnati is that even though it
won’t be here forever you can still see Vincent van Gogh’s work in Eden Park. The
Cincinnati Art Museum has an original painting, Undergrowth with Two Figures in their
permanent collection, that was completed in June 1890. Visit the museum anytime for
free to view this painting and be moved by it in person!
The immersive experience will be here until November and takes about an hour to
two hours to view and enjoy. It’s located on 18 West Fourth Street 45202, Downtown Cincinnati and is for
all ages to attend!
