Beyond van Gogh, a Mesmerizing Exhibit Reimagining Famous Painter’s Work, Opens on Long Island
The world of Vincent van Gogh comes to life in Beyond van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, which opened at the Samanea Mall in Westbury on March 17.
This mesmerizing exhibit engulfs visitors in van Gogh’s famous paintings while telling the story of a dark yet enchanting life that led the tortured soul to create what are now the world’s most recognizable works of art.
Visitors begin this experience by reading passages about van Gogh’s life on a series of back-lit panels. Also included are quotes from the Dutch artist taken from letters he wrote, mainly to his brother, Theo, whom he was close with.
“… find things as beautiful as much as you can, most people find too little beautiful,” van Gogh wrote in January 1874.
These screens lead visitors to the main exhibition room, where van Gogh’s various artworks, from The Starry Night and Irises to The Potato Eaters and Café Terrace at Night, dance on the floor and walls, surrounding visitors in van Gogh’s world.
The show begins with the artist’s early life and goes through the entirety of his collection, bringing the works to life with motion and animation – even blinking the eyes in his many portraits and self-portraits that he is known for. It is all synchronized to soothing yet engaging music.
After the show, there are virtual reality headsets just outside the main room for visitors to learn even more about the painter. And just on the way out, visitors can purchase just about any kind of van Gogh-themed merchandise you can imagine, including a plushie of ol’ Vincent.
Tickets are on sale now for Beyond van Gogh at vangoghlongisland.com. There are also yoga classes being held Saturdays throughout April in the exhibition room. The exhibit runs through May 14.
