t’s not the same as seeing these frustrated masterpieces of emotion in person, but Beyond Van Gogh is a fascinating interpretation of the world the artist created, and it’s jaw-droppingly detailed.
Beyond the detail, and beyond the show, is something actually quite special. It’s not an exhibition of Van Gogh’s work, it’s a spectacle, designed to immerse us in a backdrop provided by someone long dead. So you’re right to feel a bit uncomfortable about this as a presentation of painting, because it isn’t. It’s bigger. And it means more to its guests.
Inside the world of Van Gogh, created in a massive, moving, scale, you’re allowed to exist alongside masses of other visitors, but find your own space. One couple, who will likely colour my thinking of this artist for the rest of my life, spent their time dancing together.
That’s a completely unique experience, and one that will stay with them, and me. Yes, you can just take in it, enjoy the show, and wonder at the tech, but you can also just be still and exist in the moment, surrounded by music, and bristling trees, milling windmills and rippling ports.
Now I’m going to say something very stupid – this wouldn’t have been possible ten or twenty years ago. Not because of the display technology, which is far from new, but because of the image resolution. Every single brush stroke is brought to life, and over-sized, creating shadows you didn’t know were there, and texture which adds physical layers to Van Gogh’s best known works.
I’m keen to stress here, it is physical layers, not metaphorical, literal, or symbolic in any way, layers. As most reviewers have said, it’s not an exhibition about Van Gogh, its just one that makes use of his fame, and the familiarity of the imagery. But when you accept that, and just embrace the event, it’s captivating.
The technology behind the show is actually quite run-of-the-mill now. Major live productions have been using this stuff for years, but the increased accuracy of scanning, photography and image manipulation means that we’re not just in an immersive gallery, we literally stand within the scenes created by Van Gogh.
Beyond Van Gogh is an attempt at reversing the artistic process, putting the audience in his world. Turning that world into an augmented reality.
There will be criticism around whether there is a purpose to this. Maybe there isn’t, maybe there is. Maybe its purpose is to teach us the depths of engagement that are possible.
aybe the purpose is to teach us that you can engage this deeply without the sets and technology of this particular tour, just by standing in front of a painting that matters to you, and visualising a world around you.
But do yourself a favour and skip past the sunflower, and the text. This show (and it is a show) shines when you’re dropped into landscapes, not still lives or portraits. Standing firmly in the world we’re all captivated by as an audiences, created by an artist whose energy and gesture was perfectly of his time.
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Beyond Van Gogh is open at Exhibition Centre Liverpool until 24th July
Booking is essential at www.exhibitioncentreliverpool.com
Words, Patrick Kirk-Smith