Wrap Yourself in 70,000 Square Feet of Van Gogh This Summer
Of all the things we missed during lockdown, seeing art and performances in-person ranked high for aesthetes everywhere. "I’ve taken to holding a heavy art book as I walk around my San Francisco apartment," author R.O. Kwon wrote for T&C's May issue of her response to "a yearlong want of beauty."
For those who are similarly eager to plunge themselves back into the world of art, New York City's Immersive Van Gogh, which opens June 10, makes for a grand return. Located on Pier 36 in Manhattan, the exhibition is 70,000 square feet of projections of Vincent Van Gogh's work that completely envelope visitors into the artist's paintings. "We just spent 14 months grappling with isolation, depression, and hardship, so to be able to connect deeply with a man who struggled with the same things... it matches the place where we are culturally," says creative director David Korins, who created special activations for the New York exhibition.
Immersive Van Gogh toured in various cities around the world before arriving in New York, Korins was brought on to expand on the exhibition, adding mirrored sculptures to the rooms that reflect and refract the artwork and taking visitors deeper into Van Gogh's life. Korins, who created the worlds for Tony Award-winning musicals like Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and Beetlejuice: The Musical, is fully embracing the pure happiness of swirling sunflowers and stars. "I’ve done projects that over-intellectualize the subject matter. This is about enjoyment, whether you know everything or nothing about Van Gogh," says Korins. For those looking to expand their knowledge of the artist, Korins focused on highlighting unique aspects of the artist's life. For example, the Van Gogh had chromesthesia, in which he associated sounds with color. Korins translated this into an interactive activity that approximates for the visitor what chromesthesia might feel like. For those just looking to have a good time, the 30-foot-tall paintings set to classical and contemporary scores will certainly do the trick.
Regardless, it is a joyous celebration of art, of (safely) coming together again, and of getting lost in the beauty outside of our own four walls. "Van Gogh is a big bright light in the city at the beginning of the summer with Broadway opening up right behind it," says Korin. "It's going to be amazing to be back." Tickets are available to reserve now at the Immersive Van Gogh site.
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