Starry, Starry Static Becoming Fluid

 Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience Brings the Past to Life


The purpose of art is to express and elicit emotion. It teaches us how to look beyond the necessary and find a meaning. It helps us to feel something new, and possibly excite some unknown desire within ourselves.

Is it possible for the static art of the past to elicit the same emotions today as they did a hundred or more years ago? As technology claims more areas of our lives - including the way we create and consume art - are we losing the ability to meaningfully experience the old forms?


The art of today moves and speaks and flashes. It’s fluid and fast and dynamic. We no longer live in a static world. So, can we look at a static work of art and feel what the artist wanted us to feel? Can it evoke the same overwhelming rush of emotions in a person today as it did in a person in 1921? What if it could…?





‘Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience,’ presents the works of Vincent Van Gogh in a dynamic new way that makes it relevant for a modern audience.


Before entering the main exhibit hall, a pathway illuminated by his work ushers you through the life of Van Gogh in his own words. Excerpts in letters to his brother, Theo, paint the picture of what life was like for Van Gogh; How he found his way to becoming an artist, and through the mental illness that claimed his life in 1890. The intimate look into his life gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation for him as an artist.





The main exhibit is, at first, overwhelming. Every inch of the floor, walls, and interior column is covered in motion and color. Over 300 of Van Gogh’s works are presented in a cascading and constantly transforming display that lasts about 35 minutes. 


Each piece of work comes to life as they appear from blank canvas to completed masterpiece. The streaky swirls of Starry Night twist and float all around the room, immersing spectators in the painting from every angle. His self portraits displayed together seemingly  larger than life, show the transformation in his art and in the way he perceived himself.



The vibrant colors, dynamic motion and eclectic soundtrack bring his work to life before your eyes. The ever changing displays keep you enthralled for the entire presentation - and may make you want to stay for an encore. 


Due to high demand the exhibit has been extended through Saturday, February 12. The exhibit is open from 9 AM to 9P PM on weekdays and until 10 PM on weekends. Tickets are for a timed entry, and range from $24.99 to $46.99 for basic entry. 


If you’re an art lover, or looking for a new way to love art, I highly recommend you check this out before it’s gone.





At a Glance:

Hours:

Sunday - Wednesday: 9 AM - 10 PM (last entry 9 PM)

Thursday: 10 AM - 10 PM (last entry 9 PM

Friday: 9 AM - 11 PM (last entry 10 PM)

Saturday: 10 AM - 11 PM (last entry 10 PM)


Website: 

https://vangoghportland.com/


Duration:

The visit will take around one hour.


Tickets:

$24.99 - $93.99. Discount for Student, senior and military.


Location: 

The Oregon Convention Center: 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Portland, OR 97322


Health and Safety:

Masks are mandatory at all times within the Oregon Convention Center. 


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