There is a sensory condition where the sound of a certain pitch or musical note inspires a color in the brain. Known as “chromesthesia,” art historians believed that Vincent Van Gogh may have experienced this, which could explain his highly colorful paintings. He played piano as a child, and in his letters, speaks about his love for music and that for him, sound had colors. Imagine hearing that during Van Gogh’s time – the late 1800’s – surely those around him would have thought him mad. And yet, it may have been a true gift. Guests attending the spectacular Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit New York opening this month will be able to try this out for themselves by standing inside booths, one for every color, and hear what researchers imagine Van Gogh was hearing. In the purple booth, for example, the pitch that corresponds to that color’s frequency is G4 note.
That’s just one example of how the exhibit lives up to its promise of offering an “immersive” experience. Once guests step through the doors into the massive 75,000 square foot waterfront space on the East River, the world ceases to be the same. The darkened gallery rooms are a constant video show of Van Gogh’s art. The original musical compositions that accompany the projected masterpieces, The Sunflowers, Starry Night, and many self-portraits, reflect the variety of his moods. The art scenes play off reflective tower stands placed throughout in the rooms which allow for a total uninterrupted, and three-dimensional, flow of painted scenes, acknowledging “his highly emotional and chaotic inner consciousness.”
The brush strokes in his swirly clouds move like snakes across the screens in Starry Night, his black birds take flight over a corn-yellow meadow in Wheatfields with Crows, and blades of green grass sway in his Garden of Irises; each painting comes alive, then explodes with color; a chorus of voices fade and then build into a crescendo, leaving the art space audience silent, then erupting in applause. Forty art works are featured in this, the grandest display of the world-traveling exhibit, which had its North American premiere in July 2020; its New York visit anticipated for months. Seventy-four state-of-the art projections cast Van Gogh’s work onto every surface. Guests can sit on benches against the wall or stretch out on the floor in one of the large circles, while others can still stroll along. No one speaks, as it feels like sacred space. In one dramatic display, Van Gogh’s painted yellow stars burst like a firework finale over his dark blue waters which can only be described as a salute to his enduring genius.
Exiting into the Van Gogh shop of posters, key chains, shirts and some great holiday gifts, the experience continues with the booths of color, a celebration of Van Gogh’s letters – ask about your own handwritten letter keepsake – and a digital 3D experience via cell phone or tablet. Staffers are on hand to instruct for those not particularly tech savvy.
Van Gogh was virtually unknown, selling only one painting in his lifetime, however one can only imagine that with this exhibit, with millions of tickets sold through the world, a great wrong has been corrected.
Credit must be given to the talented team behind the artistry including Creative Director David Korins known for his set designs for Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen; Creator and Italian Film Producer Massimiliano Siccardi; Composer Luca Longobardi and Art Director Vittorio Guidotti.
This is a true family-friendly experience with a snack bar on premises. Note that masks are required.
The Van Gogh Immersive Exhibition is available in other cities. Go to the website for more information. vangoghnyc.com
Photos by MJ Hanley-Goff
