“Van Gogh Experience” in Boston is a Loving and Creative Ode to a Genius
The “Van Gogh Experience”, set up in the Strand Theater in the heart of Boston is an impressive tribute to the legacy of one of art’s most innovative and unique minds. Going in, I was prepared for a standard display of paintings and information about Van Gogh, and expected to be thoroughly educated and entertained. When first walking in, this is what I received. His greatest works were hung on the walls, basked in light, with plaques of information attached to the wall next to them. It was your typical art exhibit setup.
The first hint of what was to come came in the form of his painting “The Bedroom”. One of his most well known pieces, the painting depicts the artist’s bedroom with a slightly contorted perspective and deep yellow hues. The floor and walls converge at a single point, making the room a bit claustrophobic and elongated. Van Gogh, being colorblind, had an odd and lively interpretation of color, making a simple painting of his bedroom an exceptional impression of the artist’s vision and perspective. However, this exhibit turned this already fascinating painting into something more than that. The painting was rendered as a three dimensional space where guests were able to walk inside, sit on the famous bed, and even wear Van Gogh’s hat. All of the objects were painted to be accurate representations of the work, and even the perspective of the room lined up with the painting. It was evident that those who put together this exhibit did so out of genuine love and respect for the artist and his body of work, paying attention to even the smallest detail to ensure it was respecting the source material. This alone would be impressive and worth the trip, but it was only the tip of the iceberg.
After a few more hallways of exhibited Van Gogh works, and a much appreciated stand where food and drink could be purchased, an usher stood in front of a black curtain tucked away in a dimly lit corner. He waved a line of people on through, only allowing new people inside when others had left. It was clear from the faces of those leaving that whatever was beyond this curtain was something special.
I waited in line, anticipation bubbling up in me, trying to decipher the ambient, other-worldly sounds that came from the room. After what seemed like an eternity, I was allowed to enter. Inside was truly something to behold.
After what seemed like an eternity, I was allowed to enter. Inside was truly something to behold.
It was an immense space with a high ceiling and walls that towered over us tiny visitors. On them was projected a moving, dynamic version of Van Gogh’s Starry Night. The signature billowing swirls in the night sky actually spun and breathed, and the stars twinkled, and the large tower swayed in the breeze. Distant sounds of the city could heard amidst chirping birds and swelling music. It was all around us, and cushions were provided on the ground so we could look up at the spectacle. It did not stop here, with paintings such as “The Night Cafe”, with its gloomy atmosphere and warped faces was around us, “Cafe Terrace at Night” filled the air with sounds of its patrons, and “The Red Vineyards at Arles” was projected, with its vibrant reds and yellows becoming alive in front of our eyes. It was what had been done with “The Bedroom” taken to another level completely.
Distant sounds of the city could heard amidst chirping birds and swelling music.
After only a few minutes, I became entirely immersed, lost in Van Gogh’s world, forgetting where I was and everything except for the sounds and the sights. It was a rare window into his process, into how he saw things and chose to represent them, his eccentricities and passions and his madness and troubles. It was all there with a clear and deep understanding for why his art continues to inspire to this day. It breathed new life into these paintings, giving me a newfound appreciation for his talent and true genius, and it is an experience I would highly recommend to anyone, regardless of their knowledge of Van Gogh or art in general.
