In immersive, multi-sensory art gallery form that is
Ah, hah, hah, hah Van Gogh Alive, Van Gogh Alive.
The world’s most visited immersive, multi-sensory experience, Van Gogh Alive, is coming to Manchester this Autumn with a three month run at Media City in Salford. The futuristic exhibition, which requires its own 17,500 square foot purpose built venue is a multi-sensorial walk into the world and work of the iconic Dutch artist best known for sunflowers, starry skies and, er, severed ears.
A truly unique way to experience one of the world’s greatest artists that is accessible and open to all
Famous pieces including the aforementioned Sunflowers and Starry Night will sit alongside lesser-seen works including paintings inspired by the artist's love of Japanese woodwork prints. Visitors will be able to walk through the experience and immerse themselves in the various periods of the artist’s life too, with a curated collection of over 3,000 reproductions of the artist’s work presented in mesmerising detail in dramatic fashion.
SENSORY4™ immersive gallery technology
Technology will be a central part of the experience. If you like the sound of “state-of-the-art SENSORY4™ immersive gallery technology” then you’re in for a treat. From a punter’s perspective, expect HD art projected all over the room in crisp detail with a classical soundtrack pumped out of a “high-fidelity 3D sound system”, kaleidoscopic visuals and even the chance to smell the “aromas of Provence” making for an art experience akin to walking into a real-life painting.
The exhibition will also feature an interpretative area where visitors can learn more about Van Gogh’s life and work plus interactive art stations for creating your own Vincent-inspired masterpiece with tutorial videos.
Van Gogh Alive will be using its platform as a way to help raise money for the Manchester-based Christie Charity, with funding going towards the organisations ground-breaking work in cancer care, research and innovation. Visitors to the exhibition will have a chance to donate in person at the exhibition or online when purchasing tickets.
Josie Cahill, Place Director of MediaCityUK, said:
“We are thrilled to be working with our partners to host the imaginative and immersive Van Gogh Alive experience from this Autumn and over the Christmas period. MediaCityUK and The Quays are a fantastic, waterside destination for immersive entertainment, arts and culture – there’s an increasing buzz with our Box on the Docks arts and dining experience and now Van Gogh Alive, offering visitors a truly unique way to experience one of the world’s greatest artists that is accessible and open to all.”
Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor, said:
“It’s wonderful to be welcoming such an impactful art experience as Van Gogh Alive to Salford’s MediaCityUK. Communities have really missed experiencing arts and entertainment, with the hospitality and creative industries being amongst the hardest hit from the impacts of Covid-19, so it is brilliant to be seeing the creative industries launching new and innovative experiences for all to enjoy within a safe framework. I look forward to being transported into the fascinating world of Van Gogh.”
Needless to say an exhibition this bright and colourful will also be a good photo opportunity with selfies very much built into the concept.
Van Gogh Alive will feature a life-sized representation of Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles painting and a 360° mirrored "Sunflower selfie room" complete with hundreds of sunflowers. If you’re curious as to what this room looks like, over 8 million people across 70 cities worldwide, so a peruse of #Vangoghalive on Instagram should give you a heads up on that front.
No word yet on whether there’s an "ear-removing experience".
Tickets are on sale now from the Van Gogh Alive website priced at £22 for adults and £15 for children.
Update: 6 Jan The event has now been extended and will run from 22 October 2021 - 27 Feb 2022.
