Photo: Immersive van Gogh exhibit
The co-producer of the van Gogh drive-through exhibition in Toronto says, “It will be almost as if the car is floating through the paintings.”
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. This story reminds me of friends who refuse to take no for an answer. Somehow they figure out how to make a thing happen no matter the obstacles.
Zulekha Nathoo reports for CBC News, “An upcoming digital art exhibit featuring the work of Vincent van Gogh is planning to open next month in Toronto, but you’ll need a car to get in.
“The large-scale exhibition, which was initially supposed to begin May 1 but couldn’t open as a result of the pandemic, will temporarily operate as a drive-in starting June 18 to adhere to current COVID-19 physical distancing and health guidelines.
“The exhibit’s producers said after a year of working on the original plan and purchasing the rights to more than 400 pieces from different museums, they didn’t want to give up on the project. ….
“Said co-producer Svetlana Dvoretsky, ‘People have to see the light at the end of the tunnel and also the light during this situation.’
“Art lovers will drive into the 4,000 square foot downtown industrial space and will stay inside their vehicles. … The drive-in, the first of its kind in a post-pandemic era, will allow 14 vehicles per time slot. Visitors will park, turn off their engines and watch a 35-minute show while remaining inside their cars.
” ‘The lights go down and the projection begins,’ said co-producer Corey Ross. ‘It will be almost as if the car is floating through the paintings.’
“The exhibit includes some of the Dutch painter’s most well-known masterpieces, including ‘Starry Night,’ ‘Sunflowers’ and many self-portraits. It also attempts to chronicle the famed artist’s tragic demise through the works.
” ‘It’s not that you just walk in and see the display of his paintings. That, you can see in a museum,’ said Dvoretsky.
‘What our artists have done with this exhibit is they take you inside the painting … They’re trying to show us their version of how the story is born in the mind of the genius.’
“The Gogh by Car exhibit is an interim alternative to the walk-through van Gogh exhibit at the same location, which has been postponed until at least July due to COVID-19 restrictions. But the producers say the ‘test drive’ could continue beyond its currently scheduled 11-day preview if public gatherings are still limited over the summer. …
“The installation has been designed by the creators of the successful Paris-based digital art project Atelier des Lumières, which received more than two million visitors before the global shutdown.”
More at the CBC, here. The exhibit is not free, but the cost covers both the drive-through for two and a future walk-through.
To learn more about van Gogh, check out this wonderful, quasi-animated film called Loving Vincent. Here’s the trailer.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
I’ve seen this Van Gogh light exhibit in two places in France. It is spectacular. I think driving through will be amazing for people. Love how businesses are getting creative right now.
Wow, I’m glad to hear this from someone who knows! Sounds like Toronto is in for a treat.
Blogger Deb from A Bear’s Thimble, https://abearsthimble2.wordpress.com, writes, “Wonderful sculpture… I must say the little heads poking up from the skirt made me do a double take.😀”
I wondered about that, too, Deb. It does look odd. I suppose they are little cherubs.
I’ve seen the Van Gogh travelling immersive exhibition last summer in Valencia, Spain. It was one of the most propitious events in my life as I’ve loved his work since I was a kid and I couldn’t believe my luck to be there at the exact time window. Once in a lifetime experience, for sure!
Wow—now that’s two readers who have seen it. You are really making me wish I could, too!