A walkthrough of Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience at Resorts World Sentosa

Vincent van Gogh – the name conjures up a multitude of images, even to someone who has little knowledge of art – vibrant sunflowers, swirling starry nights and vivid self-portraits.

Though the Dutch Post-Impressionist painter lived a fleeting life, his works remain some of the most critically acclaimed till today, 132 years after.

Detailing his legacy is Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, the internationally renowned 360-degree digital immersive art experience, which will make its Southeast Asian debut at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) on Wednesday (Mar 1).

The exhibition grants visitors a unique closeness and understanding of Van Gogh’s turbulent yet brilliant psyche through a mix of replicas, digital projections, Virtual Reality (VR), and atmospheric light and sound.

Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect:

Stepping into the dimly lit corridor, visitors are welcomed by grimness that hangs in the air. The walls are lined with portraits of Van Gogh, which seem to come alive in the warmth of the spotlights.

Thereafter, in the About the Artist segment, interactive installations, artwork displays, monographics as well as text panels about the artist, his life and his masterpieces are on view.

As visitors venture further into the exhibition, they’ll find a “portal” of “blooming sunflowers”, before reaching one of the core highlights: The Immersive Room.

The space depicts a 40-minute digital projection mapping showcase of Van Gogh’s most famous artworks, along with educational insight into the development and transformation of his art style. One of such topic is his evolving interpretations of sunflowers, which is a subject matter he was known to continuously return to.

Another exciting segment – and one that’s unique to the Singapore run – is the thematic zone paying homage to Asian cultural practices.

It spotlights the influences and inspirations that played a key role in what would eventually become part of Van Gogh’s signature art style – namely the Japonisme movement in Europe in the late 1800s. 

The room adds two novel introductions to the exhibition’s offerings, featuring traditional Japanese art style woodblocking and printing in a digital display, as well as a matcha tea demonstration by Matchaya.

There’s also the Anamorphose room, where multidimensional interpretations of Van Gogh’s works await.

One highlight is a replica of Van Gogh’s bedroom in Arles, France, the site depicted within his iconic painting, The Bedroom.

The interactive space transports audiences into Van Gogh’s experiential and physical reality of the space he spent a substantial amount of time in. 

For those who are looking to unleash their inner artist, there’s Sketch & Post, a fringe activity for guests to colour-in their own renditions of Van Gogh’s art pieces, with templates such as The Starry Night and Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat. 

Like a true work of art, you can then have it scanned onto a live screen, where it’ll pop up in a frame, alongside other masterpieces!

Just adjacent to Sketch & Post is “A Day in the Life of the Artist in Arles”, the experience’s trademark VR segment.

Some artworks featured include Vincent’s Bedroom in Arles, Starry Night, Wheatfield With Crows, and Starry Night Over The Rhône.

Before ending the adventure, visitors can have a bite at Cafe Terrace by Singaporean Chef Janice Wong or purchase a souvenir from the gift store.

Admission to Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is priced at $15 for children and $24 for adults. Tickets will be released periodically for all to have a chance to catch the exhibition during its run in Singapore.

It is located at the B1 Forum at RWS.