Van Gogh Alive

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https://grandeexhibitions.com/van-gogh-alive/

Date Reviewed: 10/11/2020

Review written by Cassie Cheeseman

Having been experienced by more than 6 million people in over 50 cities, Van Gogh Alive stands tall in its endeavour to bring unique and immersive art to Sydney’s Royal Hall of Industries.

Van Gogh Alive is a 45 minute choreographed digital event during which the viewer is immersed into a chronological showing of 3000 images of the art of Van Gogh, beamed across projectors rising 7 metres high which encompass every wall within the venue. During the event, the viewer is encouraged to walk throughout the space, absorbing the art from different angles.

The image quality is phenomenal which greatly compliments the artist and their artistic form. In some instances the art lives up to the event's name and comes ‘alive’ such as a train in one piece moving across the projected art pieces, blending the borders between art and video. In taking advantage of the digital art form, these moments are especially exciting and provide some of the most exceptional aspects of the event.

Whilst some quotes by the artist are projected during the event, there is little art history provided and, for those who are new to the world of Van Gogh, this may reduce the depth of the art being viewed. With so many screens being utilised simultaneously, the event might have been bolstered by donating a few of them to providing a deeper background for those who were that way inclined.

As an event that was conceptualised during the Covid-19 Sydney Lockdowns, there are ample pandemic-friendly components to Van Gogh Alive to calm even the most pandemic-cautious amongst us. Temperature checks prior to entry are done utilising a machine that is human-free, the event itself is no-touch and there is ample room to ensure social distancing guidelines can be adhered to once within the venue. 

In an era when major events are being scaled back or removed completely it is truly a wonderful thing to be able to get outside and experience culture and art forms, and Van Gogh Alive is the perfect testament to what is possible with innovation, determination and technology.