The Vincent Van Gogh Alive Exhibition: A Transcendent Taste of Art

The Vincent Van Gogh Alive Exhibition: A Transcendent Taste of Art
Photo by Redd F / Unsplash

It is a chilly Saturday morning under a sombre grey sky and the persistent drizzle of rain. The entrance to the Vincent Van Gogh Alive Exhibition poses an amusing challenge: a door bearing a sign in Swedish: “Pull the door. HARD!” With enough willpower and strength, the door manages to swing open and you enter a modern-looking exhibition space with a small information desk at the front and a little souvenir shop to the left. You can tell that the space is recreational, yet there is something inviting about it. Perhaps it is the beautiful ambience music playing in the background or the small glimpse you catch of a painting from the entrance. Regardless, you cannot bear the anticipation for an immersive encounter with the vibrant world of Vincent Van Gogh.

I have always admired Vincent Van Gogh, the life he led and the art that he created. Although not widely appreciated during his lifetime, Van Gogh created timeless pieces that proved the sheer vitality and singularity of his artistic style. I had studied him before, primarily because his life spent battling mental illness was intriguing to me. It is said that Van Gogh developed bipolar disorder at a young age and dealt with other psychiatric issues including insomnia and psychosis. After years of perpetual crisis and struggle, he voluntarily committed himself to a mental asylum where he resorted to painting as a remedy to heal his mind. This was perhaps the most productive period of his life as his walks through the asylum garden inspired him to capture the beauty of various plants, flowers and small creatures that he found there. I find that there is something oddly romantic about an artist devoting his entire life to art despite personal and professional struggles. It is tragic yet intriguing at the same time, adding a dark element to his seemingly colourful and light-hearted pieces. Therefore, when I heard about the Vincent Van Gogh Alive exhibition that opened up in Malmö, I could hardly believe it.

Commencing with a chronological exploration of Van Gogh's life and work, the initial part of the exhibition resembled a traditional museum setup, displaying pictures and texts in a timeline format. This chronological organisation facilitated a seamless journey through the artist's evolution, creating a comprehensible narrative for one to follow and properly get acquainted with the artist himself.

The next part of the exhibition was the “coming alive” part.  I entered a darkened room adorned with large, luminous screens of varying sizes. Attendees, whether seated on chairs or on the floor, were enveloped in an immersive experience. First there was silence and then there was sound, pictures and light. To describe this transcendent experience in mere words would be quite difficult. Mesmerising. Enchanting. Hypnotic. Meditative. All of the above. Set against a captivating classical score, this segment transcended the conventional gallery experience, thus forging a profound connection between the audience and Van Gogh's world.

The next part of the exhibition was an art activity area, presumably for younger kids. The space featured aisles with tables stocked with papers and pens, accompanied by a video tutorial guiding participants through the recreation of Van Gogh's masterpieces, offering hands-on lessons in drawing techniques, perspective, and composition. The grand finale awaited in a room adorned entirely with sunflowers. Walls and ceilings adorned with these vibrant blooms, complemented by strategically placed mirrors, created the illusion of an endless sunflower field. This visually captivating setting served as the perfect backdrop for capturing the essence of the exhibition through selfies.

To reiterate, the Vincent Van Gogh Alive exhibition was a truly wonderful and magnificent experience. Despite being an unconventional approach to presenting artwork, it proved to be absolutely effective, providing museum-goers with a deep insight into the life and work of Van Gogh. 

Image by Naomi Blair at Vincent Van Gogh Alive in Malmö

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