Due to Covid-19, the cutting edge virtual projection of Vincent Van Gogh images has been closed however the exhibition will re-open on Saturday 4 July.
If you are planning a visit soon please read the Coronavirus statement from the Van Gogh Expo in York Your visit may be a little different experience to the one we experienced with social distancing guidelines in place, but to see what me and my boys found when we took a journey into the world of one of the greatest artistic geniuses of the 19th century read on ...
It was a rainy, cold day during February half-term but we didn't let the weather deter us. We'd book our train tickets from Newcastle to York and were determined to have a great family day out. Having an indoor attraction scheduled in our plans for our visit to York turned out to be perfect.
Vincent Van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh was one of the world’s greatest artists, with paintings such as ‘Starry Night’ and ‘Sunflowers,’ though he was unknown until after his death.
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| Credit: Charlotte Graham |
The Van Gogh Immersive Experience
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is a multimedia experience that tells Van Gogh’s life and his creations through projections, recreations and interactive elements of his artworks around the historic exhibition space. The venue is York St Mary’s - a is a beautiful medieval church which opened as a contemporary art venue in 2004. Easily found in the centre of York it is just around the corner from the Yorvik Museum.
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| Credit: Charlotte Graham |
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| Credit: Charlotte Graham |
There are over 200 of Van Gogh's works featured, but rather than remaining static, the huge projections of paintings come alive with digital animation and an emotive soundtrack, to create a world where the visitor sees through the eyes of Vincent Van Gogh for a 35 minute, fully immersive 360-degree experience.
As you enter the walls appear to move as light paints the moving images on to them. The best thing to do was just to sit and take it all in. In a deckchair (and yes you could but one as a souvenir).Up, down, left, right, forwards and backwards - you have to look in all directions - you really are immersed inside the artworks. The simply peel away and are replaced right before your eyes.
A family day out in York
I am a big fan of Van Gogh's work but I wasn't sure if the boys would love it. This was my choice of an exhibition to go and see - the boys chose Yorvik and The Chocolate Story - both also excellent which I'll write about shortly - but I was really pleased they also enjoyed the art. A visit is a great addition to any family day out in York.
The 35 minutes of immersive projection would be enough but it is not all that we discovered. There was also the opportunity to create your own 'Van Gogh' masterpiece and see it projected on the wall.
Vincent Van Gogh Virtual Reality
And then a Virtual Reality experience where you travel through 8 works and their sources of inspiration: Vincent’s room, the meadows, the forest, the village and ending with Starry Night over the Rhone River. That we all agreed was an amazing experience.
This was a great and unique art experience for adults and children - exposing the younger generation to new worlds but in a fun, interactive and accessible way. Rather than hanging in a gallery, Van Gogh's paintings were brought to life, larger than life and a remarkable, colourful and engaging insight into Van Gogh’s life and art
York St Mary's
York St Mary’s is located in Castlegate, with easy access from the Coppergate Centre, adjacent to JORVIK Viking Centre.
The church itself could date back as far as 1020 and a dedication stone inside bears an inscription saying it was built by ‘Efrard & Grim & Aese’. It has the tallest steeple in York at 47 metres high. York St Mary’s was deconsecrated in 1958.
Van Gogh - the Immersive Experience in York
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 exhibition is scheduled to be open in York for the remainder of the year closing on 31st December 2020. Tickets are from £9 with under 3's going free - the VR Experience is an additional £3.
Stay safe,
Disclosure: We received complimentary admission to the exhibition.
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