Van Gogh a Century Later
Vincent Van Gogh and his art continue to live on a century after his death, except this time, in a new medium.
Story and Photos by Salvador Sanchez
You might be used to seeing art the standard way at a museum, and you might be looking for some new ways to enjoy art. “Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” is an art exhibit here in Detroit bringing some of Vincent Van Gogh’s work to life. There are also other similar Van Gogh exhibits popping up around the country. So why Van Gogh? Why is he popular today?
That is the question I asked Jennifer Olmsted, an art history professor at Wayne State University. “One of the reasons is it’s really accessible,” Olmsted says. “The pretty landscapes, bouquets of flowers, portraits of people. You don’t need to know a whole lot to appreciate it and understand it.”
Van Gogh's “The Starry Night”
When asked why art exhibitors are choosing Van Gogh to create new immersive exhibits, Olmsted adds, “Because these exhibits and museums know everybody loves Van Gogh.”
I went to the TCF Center in downtown Detroit to check it out. In the first room, there are multiple walls with quotes from Van Gogh and his brother Theo, with portrait frames hanging in front of them. These quotes detail the life of Vincent and go in depth about what he felt from when he was young or when he was in a psychiatric hospital in Saint Remy, showing how even when he was at his lowest, he could still find beauty in what he saw.
Quote by Van Gogh in Saint-Remy
The second room has projectors all over the ceiling, casting the art of Van Gogh on the floor and walls all around the room. They show many of Van Gogh’s different paintings, his signature signing itself onto the paintings, followed by quotes and self-portraits that blink. Every time the paintings change, the floor and walls around you change with it, really immersing you in the scene. As “Almond Blossoms” appears, blossom leaves fall to the floor. For “The Starry Night,” stars paint the night sky and spill onto the walls and floor around you as if you were in the painting. The story of Van Gogh is told in the background from speakers around the room.
Van Gogh's “Almond Blossoms”
Now you might be wondering if you should check out one of these exhibits? I do believe it's worth it to go out and learn more about Van Gogh and see his art pop up around you. But don’t just take my word for it.
“It was really cool being able to see the art move around you,” says viewer Emily Quinteros, 16.
Another exhibit attendee told me he loved how modern technology mixed with the paintings. Yet, he’d rather see Van Gogh’s original paintings so you can better understand the depth on the canvas.
Quinteros had a different opinion. “I’d prefer the (interactive) exhibit because it was 3D and immersive, and seeing the art move around you was cool,” she says.
Van Gogh's “The Olive Trees”
A century after his passing, people still enjoy Van Gogh's work, but now they get to experience it in a new way.
So, I and many other people seem to agree that this is an experience worth checking out for yourself to both enjoy Van Gogh's creative work and see what medium you prefer.
More Info:
The exhibit runs in Detroit thru Oct. 3
