Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience – Scottish Events Campus (SEC), Glasgow

Van Gogh, the man, who tried to be an art dealer and failed, tried to be a Pastor, like his father, and failed, and tried to be an artist and failed. And eventually gave up on life at the age of just 37, having sold one painting in his life, shooting himself in the chest with a revolver on 27^th July 1890, and dying two days later.

What would Vincent make of this remarkable exhibition, 134 years on. I wonder?

A 50-minute train trip from Edinburgh, a refuel at the superlative Paesano Pizza (well worth the 20-minute wait), and a pleasant 30-minute walk by the river Clyde, on a surprisingly dry day, for Glasgow, brought me to the Scottish Events Campus, nestled between the pneumatically impressive Ovo Hydro and the iconic SEC Armadillo. Glasgow’s creative hub. Better known for live music, stand up comedy and conferences, the SEC for the next six weeks plays host to a remarkable immersive exhibition of arguably the most famous artist that ever lived.

The exhibition comprises of two stages, the first an illuminated story board of his life in his own words, focusing on the many letters he wrote to his beloved brother, and greatest supporter, Theo. Visitors then move on to the heart of the exhibition, an immense immersive space, about the size of a football pitch with three storeys high walls. Van Gogh’s paintings are freed in glorious three dimensions and enlivened, self portraits that blink, crows that fly by! Multiple projectors create a continuous moving montage on walls and floor to a sublime soundtrack, which at times rises, about to turn techno before lapsing into more classical rhythms. The 35-minute loop is like nothing you will have experienced before and actually sounds and looks better the second time around! The synesthesia here is undoubtedly one of the most successful aspects of the whole exhibition, I have never experienced better.

Most would agree that this portrayal of Van Gogh’s life and works is indeed beautifully, imaginatively created and curated, with an extraordinary soundtrack and a technological wonder which uses the latest computing power and optical affects which will take your breath away. A 21^st Century artwork, a 35-minute masterpiece?

Having said all of that, it would have been nice to have more comfort in the space, it is cold and there are only a few seats in the middle area. Old people, like me, hover expectantly, waiting for an opening on the sofas. Also, there is no attempt to hide the ugly dark ceiling and air conditioning ductwork high above us. A white canvas ceiling, with projection would be the icing on the cake, but perhaps we are not quite there yet?

I loved it, and yet….. I am conflicted by it. In a world where some of the greatest art worlds are held in airport vaults, in the dark, is this really art, or just a facsimile of art for the common people, at a price few can afford.

But five stars.

Reviewer: Greg Holstead

Reviewed: 10^th July 2024

North West End UK Rating: