Stacey Gualandi with husband, Marty. Photo by Laurent Velasquez
IT’S GOGH TIME!
“VAN GOGH: THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE” IS NOW OPEN AT AREA15 IN LAS VEGAS
By Stacey Gualandi
If you’ve ever wanted to delve deep inside the mind of artist Vincent Van Gogh, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is about as close as you’ll get.
This stunningly beautiful 360-degree, virtual reality art exhibit is now exclusively showing at AREA 15, “the world’s first purpose-built experiential entertainment district,” offering everything from live events to art installations to unique retail shops, bars and eateries. (AREA 15 was just nominated for USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards for Best Immersive Art Experience)
When you enter the 7,000-square-foot PORTAL, AREA 15’s projection-mapped room, it feels as if you’ve literally stepped into one of Van Gogh’s famous masterpieces. There are over 300 dazzling animations of the 19th century artist’s works on display, accompanied by a custom score and coordinated light show throughout the event space.
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience – Photo by Laurent Velasquez
The hits are all here: Van Gogh’s self-portrait; “Irises”; “Almond Blossoms” and, of course, “The Starry Night” (my favorite!).
“This unforgettable exhibition is about stepping into a 21st century portal into the world of a 19th century painter,” said Michael Beneville, chief creative officer, AREA15. “I have to believe Van Gogh—a passionate, visionary artist who didn’t achieve fame until after his death—would be pleased knowing people today can enjoy his work this way.”
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience – Photo by Laurent Velasquez
One major highlight for me was the original VR experience BEFORE the experience. It takes you on a 9-minute, mind-altering virtual frame-by-frame stroll alongside Van Gogh himself, as he explores the Arles, France, countryside settings that inspired his artwork.
The 35-minute immersive experience has already made a huge impression with international stops in Asia, the Middle East and Europe before landing in Las Vegas, and marks the first time a Van Gogh art exhibit of this magnitude will be seen in the United States.
Next stops this year will be in at least eight cities across the U.S., including Atlanta, New York and Boston.
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience – Photo by Laurent Velasquez
One caveat though before you brush up on the post-impressionist painter: don’t confuse Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience with the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit Las Vegas, which makes its debut in Sin City later this summer.
I guess you can never have too much of a good thing.
3..2..1..Gogh for it.
For more information, please visit: www.vangoghexpo.com
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience – Photo by Laurent Velasquez
