Even if you have studied the life and work of a particular artist in-depth, there is something to be said for getting a new perspective on even the most well-known works of art.
You could say the artist Vincent van Gogh has become somewhat of a rockstar of the art world. Iterations of the impressionist's works can be found in museums, on mouse pads, and everywhere in between. The man himself has become the poster child for the troubled genius archetype.
The legend of van Gogh has even been adapted into a full-length movie animated entirely using stills painted in his signature style.
'Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience' has been touring the country since 2017, and boasts over 5 million visitors since its opening, inviting guests to "step into a painting" and to experience the story of Vincent van Gogh like never before.
Nadia Reichman is the U.S. Operations Manager for Exhibition Hub, the company behind the traveling exhibit. She says it is an experience you can't find anywhere else.
"We present it in a storytelling way, where it just provides a little more context to his life, instead of just seeing the still images," said Reichman. "We really imbue it with movement and bring it to life and tell you the story of van Gogh's life through his artwork."
Arriving in Little Rock for the first time, 'Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience' is located at the Shackleford Crossings Shopping Center.
The experience offers a range of experience levels and add-ons, but basic tickets for two people will cost around $70, and you can expect to spend around 90 minutes total at the exhibit.
To begin, guests walk through a small exhibit hall that provides an overview of van Gogh's life and his works, alongside reproductions of his most famous works.
Guests continue into an area that can best be described as "Instagrammable," with three-dimensional renditions of a few pieces including "Courtesan: after Eisen", and a version of "Bedroom in Arles" in which guests can pose.
Markers projected onto the floor give guests a suggested vantage point for photos.
The immersive experience is the main attraction, which gives guests a 360-degree view of Vincent van Gogh's life and legacy.
The animated feature lasts about 30 minutes and weaves together the artist's works and quotes from his life using an overarching narrative and transitions inspired by the paintings.
Reichman describes the immersive feature as a story in three parts.
"The first section is like if you were in a gallery. If you went to a museum, what would it look like? The second section immerses you a little more specifically in one piece of artwork at a time, so you get to experience 'Starry Night' all around you. And then the third part is a little more frantic, as he started, you know, having his mental breakdown. So the energy just changes as part of that storytelling, and you can feel that emotion and intensity that he experienced as well."
Reichman says the experience is aimed at all ages, and features like the drawing wall invite guests to create their own works of art to share.
Overall, Reichman believes the exhibit is a testament to the love people have for van Gogh and his works. She shared a reminder that the artist himself was not well-known during his life, and it was only through the conservation efforts of his friends and family that his brilliance was preserved for future generations.
"I think that's again, kind of a beautiful, full-circle moment. I mean, it's very sad that he didn't get to experience other people enjoying his work. He kind of struggled with that, I think, throughout his lifetime. But now to be on the other side, hopefully, he can still see that everybody loves what he brought to us."
'Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience" opened Friday in Little Rock. More information is available at VanGoghExpo.com/little-rock.
