Spend an Hour at Colorado’s Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit

Do you love art and digital presentations? If the answer is yes and you are in Denver, consider purchasing tickets for the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit before it leaves The Hangar at Aurora’s Stanley Market Place on September 26. If you live elsewhere, double check the website to see if this experience is available near you.

Just a couple of days ago, Ira and I had the opportunity to enjoy this multi-sensory digital art experience as media guests of Visit Denver and Visit Aurora. Van Gogh’s (1853-1890) artistic accomplishments inspired us for over an hour. We knew what to anticipate. Our travels have introduced us to digital art exhibits throughout the world. Even though this exhibit was limited to a few rooms, the experience offered an appreciation for Van Gogh’s ability to adapt to his environment. During his short ten-year career, he produced over 2,000 artistic endeavors.

Before entering the digital exhibit, visitors can read a selection of full-sized posters offering background information about Vincent Van Gogh. Anyone unfamiliar with Van Gogh’s life and work will find these quick snippets useful. As the images flashed from one screen to the next, it was hard not to be impressed by a self-taught artist who was influenced by some of the great artistic masters of the 19^th century—Monet, Pissarro, and Gauguin.

This traveling show has been on the road since its Singapore debut in 2011 and has already been viewed in more than 70 cities around the world. The production uses Sensory 4 technology developed by Grande Experiences. This application combines “multichannel motion graphics, cinema quality surround sound and up to to forty high-definition projectors to provide one of the most exciting multiscreen environments in the world.”

The digital program has five movements with an informative panel. As additional images appear on the oversized wall and floor screens, an inspiring quote is projected into upper panels.

Over twenty years ago, we visited the Vincent Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. I do recall this art museum because it stood out from some of our other tourist stops. To this day our children will probably remember Van Gogh’s self-portrait with a bandaged ear. We spent time discussing how mental illness can affect people after we left the museum. While our museum visit occurred long before digital art existed, I am confident our children would have remembered even more about Van Gogh’s life had digital art been available.  

It’s hard to forget this digital multi-sensory performance.  The art appears on massive screens accompanied by music.  Selected scents are added to stimulate one’s senses. Participants feel part of the orchards, gardens, and fields depicted in Van Gogh’s work. The top notes of nutmeg, cardamon, cypress and vetiver arrive first and quickly disappear, while the middle notes of lemon, cedarwood, and woody accord are at the core. The base notes corresponding to sandalwood, amber and musk are captured throughout. 

I encourage young and old to spend an hour enjoying Van Gogh’s work. It’s a great way to step away from everyday concerns by becoming engaged in a memorable art production.

Disclosure: As media guests of Visit Denver and Visit Aurora, The Traveling Bornsteins received complimentary admission to this event.

Sandy shares her lifestyle and travel experiences with international and domestic online sites and print media. She has contributed stories to Hemispheres, Destinations Magazine, KUHL’s Born in the Mountain blog, Grand Magazine, Wandering Educators, Golden Living, AARP, Hadassah magazine, Localliz, One Travel, Miles Away, Canadian Jewish News, Getting On Travel, Far and Wide, Colorado Parent, Traveler Confidential, Family Circle- Momster, and others.