Having dazzled over 8.5 million visitors across 80 cities worldwide, the world’s most visited immersive multi-sensory experience, “Van Gogh Alive”, has embarked on its ground-breaking tour of Kuala Lumpur. The multimedia exhibition sets aside traditions of tiptoeing through silent galleries and viewing paintings from afar in quiet contemplation, as visitors can find themselves interacting with art in ways they never imagined.
Malaysia’s first immersive experience exhibition
The artworks of the historically acclaimed artist Vincent Van Gogh “come alive” in a refreshing form of art exhibition that breathes new life into the history of art.If you are in Kuala Lumpur, you may want to know that the world-renowned “Van Gogh Alive” is a must experience if you have not seen it in any other city. Even if you have, none will be exactly the same. Besides the other languages used in this exhibition, Malaysia has Bahasa Malaysia!
Our writer checked out this unique art exhibition that offers an interactive and immersive experience created with the latest technology and artificial capabilities. For the first time in Malaysia, the three-month-long exhibition, curated by a team of immersive experiential art and knowledge visionaries, is set in a 5,000 square foot space and comprises eight interactive activities that capture and exuberantly display never-before-seen, rarely exhibited digital art gems and collections to envelope visitors in a totally immersive experience.
Created and produced by Grande Experiences and co-produced by KKLive and Gravitytai, one of its initiatives is to forego the preconceived ideas of traditional museum visits and change how individuals engage with art.
The inclusion of additional AI power in this fully interactive exhibition is built exclusively for visitors in Malaysia to enjoy. While the primary exhibition allows attendees to reminisce about the famous painter’s art in larger-than-life cascades of colour, the new addition allows attendees to take a deep dive into the painter’s history and get a hands-on immersive Van Gogh art history experience through ample interactive activities.
The exhibition has floor-to-ceiling projections of the post-impressionist painter’s dramatic brushstrokes and bright colours that unfold the story of the artist’s past. Upon entering, one is reminded of Van Gogh’s painting of “Sunflowers”, when the artist was inspired by the sunflowers he saw in Montmartre, Paris. It was a delightful experience to see so many beds of sunflowers, which are reflected in mirrors.
In the immersive space, you can also feel the pulsating vibes of sunflowers, inspired by Van Gogh’s masterpiece, as they react to your presence and follow your every move.
A lot of Van Gogh images were painted at different stages of his life, as he did not use any models. Different images of this great artist appeared, showing the changes in him due to his mental condition.
It is really an awesome feeling to see and feel one of the world’s greatest works, such as “Starry Night”, moving around you and from floor to ceiling. The oil-on-canvas painting by the Dutch Post-Impressionist was painted in June 1889, and the original is now in the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
You can also try an AI self-portrait and bring home your own post-impressionist portrait.
A mesmerising experience is that you can create your own words, coupled with AI, and then watch them translate into an art installation right before your eyes.There is even a replica of the room that the artist lived in during his time in the asylum, complete with the famous chair that inspired one of his paintings. Many were seen taking selfies and wefies there.
Present at the media launching in Pavilion Bukit Jalil earlier last month was Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture (MOTAC). In his speech, he said, “It brings me pride to see our Malaysian corporations evolve and showcase their innovations to the world. This exclusivity is key to generating an international demand for such events and driving tourist arrivals.
“With that, I take this opportunity to thank the organisers and producers of “Van Gogh Alive” and “The Greatest Artist” for being daring enough to execute the immersive exhibition and providing a platform for Malaysians to learn and grow in this regard. “I believe Malaysia has great potential to lead such high-level events, and I hope to see more of it in 2023.”
The co-producer Of Van Gogh Alive Malaysia is Meta Doers World Holding Berhad which is part of the Doers Education Group. Its chief marketing officer, Ken Choo Chee Heong said, “Because of our faith, we were able to meet two important organisations with similar goals and objectives. First is our partner Framemotion, one of the leading organisations in technology, creativity and even in sense of market trends for everything with regard to immersive experiences.
“The second organisation is Datasonic, which is involved in the provision of ICT solutions. They too are passionate about Malaysia, its education, and the future of our young people. With the combination of three parties, we synergize and leverage our strengths.
“This, Malaysia’s first immersive experience exhibition, will educate the public on the significance of immersive experience methodology. A type of education that has the potential to transform our children, youth, and even ourselves as adults.”
The exhibition is currently on view until the end of March, and tickets can be purchased at www.vangogh.com.my priced at RM75 for adults and RM68 for children and senior citizens. The venue is Level 3 (Orange Zone) Pavilion Bukit Jalil.
