An immersive Van Gogh in the city soon

MUMBAI: There’s a treat awaiting art aficionados in the new year – they will be able to walk into Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night, soak in the beauty of Almond Blossom and gaze at the luminous landscape of Sunflowers. This is but a slice of the one-of-a-kind Van Gogh 360° exhibition that will open in the city in January, 2023.

The Van Gogh 360° format projects the post-Impressionist master’s art across ceilings and walls, marrying art and technology to create moving swirls from the brushstrokes and pulsating orbs in once-static skies.

After enthralling Van Gogh fans in Europe, the Middle East and North America, the Mumbai show — the first in India — will be held at the World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, from January 20 to February 3, with more than 300 of the painter’s best-loved works projected as 3D animated dreamscapes.

Van Gogh, who died in penury and was supported by his brother Theo van Gogh through his life, is now considered one of the most influential western artists in history, known for his dramatic and evocative work, and his tragic life. By the time of his death in 1890 (he died by suicide, aged 37), he had painted over 2,100 canvasses. While few sold in his lifetime, the current record for the highest figure fetched by a van Gogh at auction is over $100 million.

Van Gogh made an impression on popular imagination with the 1956 film ‘Lust for Life’, where the title role was essayed by the late Kirk Douglas. The film was based on Irving Stone’s fictional retelling of the spectacular life of the Dutch artist. The act of immersing himself into the role of the tormented soul, said Douglas at one time, “was a painful experience”.

More recently, pop culturists were treated to a flash of the immersive experience in ‘Emily in Paris’, a popular show on Netflix. In the first season of the show, Emily (played by Lily Collins) makes a trip to L’Atelier des Lumieres and its Van Gogh exhibition, in the company of her neighbour and love interest in Paris, and his girlfriend. The three walk into the world of the 19th century artist’s swirling images, which by some stretch projects the whirl of Emily’s new life in France.

AP Bookings for the 2-week event will open from Saturday.