The Van Gogh Immersive Experience

I was a little nervous about getting out, Leicester still has an infection rate higher than most of the country, but I found the small church at the back of the huge shopping centre car park. And the alley to the side of it felt rather Dickensian. Some parts of Leicester have not changed (or been cleaned) in a very long time! 

Going in I was slightly concerned that the corridor was small and there was a lot of of reading. I shouldn't have worried it was very quiet and this was the most reading of the whole thing.

There was a brief and interesting documentary to watch, I had no idea Van Gogh was most likely colour blind.

And then to the full scale bedroom.

And the huge vase which was a constantly fluid changing painting of many of his vases and flowers.

The immersive experience was truly that and I actually found it moving in places.

Partly because I know my favourite excuse for a euphemism would have enjoyed it as much as I did.

The church was a perfect setting for it, everything was constantly moving and changing, every picture, every wall, the light, the floor, the sky and yet it did it with a smoothness embraced by the music and occasional narration.

I think I could have sat there a very long time, and I did.

I  enjoyed it so much I would like to go back and do it again.

"‘Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience’ is a travelling exhibition intended for a wide audience including families and visitors of all ages. It is a beautiful exhibition around Van Gogh that combines his life story with an in-depth immersion into the heart of his art."

The virtual reality journey, a day in Arles, was like being completely absorbed in a huge 360 painting, travelling from painting to painting through the landscape.  It was incredible.  I wore a mask the whole time I was in there (as did everyone) and for the VR you put on more PPE over your own.

The 'experience' is a travelling one and is in Leicester (and York) until the 31st December.