I went, expecting far less and came away exceptionally surprised at the all-encompassing show where visitors seemingly float through without worries or stress.
It's a family affair, 360 degrees of digital art and quite the introduction to classical art for the youngsters and for adults, too, who may not know as much about the artist as they thought.
Like me, for instance. Several Van Gogh paintings on display were new to me!
The darkened atmosphere is relaxing. Gallery going is at your own pace. No worries about elbow bumping!
Let's just celebrate art and have a good time, shall we?
From the first revelation at the entrance of a gigantic bust of the artist (1837-1890) (correction: which is half the size of the JFK bust at the Kennedy Center) until you exit at the shop, you are ensconced in all things Van Gogh.
His bust is covered in images of his paintings which evolve into other images while you stand in awe.
On an adjacent wall, copies of his sunflowers hang and allow close inspection of differences.
A large vase spins with constant color changes and renditions of the blossoms which fuse one into another.
Flowers spring up while visitors proceed to the next gallery and more images, and there is Van Gogh's bedroom at Arles which beckons guests to come in and sit for a while.Make a picture or two.
Sight sensations and music fill senses in a pleasurable way while surround sound echoes with Van Gogh's spoken quotations:What would life be like if we had no courage to attempt anything?
and
If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.
The last gallery is the "immersion" room with his works illustrated on all sides in double, triple life sizes, constantly melding into another image.
It's like being in a Van Gogh aquarium (!), beginning with the carpeting on the floor and extending to the high ceiling spanning 20,000 square feet with comfortable beach chairs, benches, bean bags, and pillows for guests to use and move about for a better spot to think, dream, meditate, and give thanks for an artist like Van Gogh.
At the end, for $5 more, visitors may put on virtual reality headsets and attend a computer art show of Van Gogh places.The VR hall opens to a large shop of Van Gogh merchandise at mostly reasonable prices. Try umbrellas, earrings ($10), brooches, t-shirts (the skeleton head will be great for Halloween), posters ($14), and lots more.
What's missing here is the present location of each original work, but we are lucky in Washington, D.C. to be able to see some of them at the Phillips Collection and still more for free at the National Gallery of Art!
Van Gogh is not dead; he lives! At the Van Gogh Immersive Experience. Come and see!
When: Now through Thanksgiving weekend Feb. 26, 2023. Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m; Saturday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays.
Where: The Rhode Island Center - 524 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
Tickets: A family pass for two adults and two children is $31.90. Separately, children under age 4 are admitted free and older children are $29.90; adults, $49.90; seniors, students and military, $37.90; groups of 15 or more, $44.90 each. ccc
Masks are encouraged, however, not required.
Metro station: Rhode Island-Brookland Station. Take the ramp/pedestrian bridge directly from the Metro exit over Rhode Island Avenue to land just steps from the show. (Ignore Google's directions which take you waaay off yonder and around several blocks.)
Park for two hours free at the Bryant Street West lot, 514 Rhode Island Ave., NE, Washington, D.C. ccc. Ph. 844-236-2011.
Timing: Allow 60-75 minutes.
Let us go then, you and I
To see his works spread against the sky
Like the paintings on the walls
We'll enjoy van Gogh and all.
Oh, do not ask, "What is it?"
Let us go and make our visit.
Where the people come and go
To see the art of Vincent van Gogh*
*With apologies to T.S. Eliot
Patricialesli@gmail.com
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