An immersive exhibition at the Arsenal

Until April 5, the Montreal Arsenal is hosting the immersive exhibition Imagine Van Gogh, produced by Annabelle Mauger and Julien Baron in collaboration with art historian Androula Michael. This unique artistic experience offers a fun journey through Van Gogh’s work, accessible to all.

This winter, the light and the sun of Provence are coming to Montreal. The Imagine Van Gogh exhibition reveals the painter's universe of colors and emotions by inviting him to travel in his paintings. Visitors stroll through the heart of giant images taken from Van Gogh’s paintings. The details, the touches, the material, the colors prevail to live an extraordinary experience where all the senses are awakened. This artistic approach in “Total Image” imagined by Annabelle Mauger immerses the spectator in the heart of the painted works to explore the details.

More than 200 works by Van Gogh are thus projected in “Total Image”. The works leave their framework to gain space in an abundance of continuous flow. Immersed in darkness, guided by the unique light of the works, everyone experiences a personal approach to their presentation. Free to choose his own route, the visitor who becomes an actor, carries his gaze without imposed time in several directions. He ventures freely into Van Gogh’s work. The projection is accompanied by musical works signed by both Van Gogh's contemporaries and current composers. (Saint-saëns, Mozart, Bach, Delibes or Satie) Music amplifies the experience of immersion and offers new sensations which open the space for dreaming and contemplation. It’s the eye and the ear that guide, not the knowledge. Everyone lets themselves be carried away without suspecting the technical and technological performance of such an exhibition. "

" Didactic on the bottom and moving on the form, this exhibition is to be contemplated with new eyes "underlines Androula Michael, art historian of the exhibition.

“Opening the space of emotion, dream and contemplation to all audiences, including the youngest is the ambition of this immersive exhibition accessible to everyone, whatever their age, language, culture,” says director Annabelle Mauger

Unconventional technology challenge

A true technological performance, Imagine Van Gogh marries the 1,450 m2 of the Arsenal. Made in situ and tailor-made, the 8m high sails welcome the image of the works and adapt to the height of the space. The immersive experience associated with this verticality is one of the strong characteristics of this artistic work which fits into each invested place.

The projection supports are flat surfaces, sails, whose shape takes the dimensions of the okio-e. In 1888, Van Gogh, arriving in Arles, wrote to his brother how the lights of Provence seemed to him to correspond to those of Japan. The directors invite you to discover Vincent Van Gogh in his most abundant work, the richest in colors and emotions, that of the last 2 years of his life. Between Arles and Saint Rémy de Provence, land of adoption of Annabelle Mauger Julien Baron for more than 15 years, land of CATHEDRALE D’IMAGES too.

This scenography gives access to Van Gogh as the builders of cathedrals used to do.

Arsenal art contemporain Montréal 2020, rue William, Montréal, QC H3J 1R9