High Tech Meets Iconic Art as “Van Gogh Alive” Debuts at the Dalí
Cindy Stovall December 7th, 2020 Photo Credits – Cindy Stovall
I forgot to wear my (The)Starry Night mask on my recent visit to the Dalí Museum’s newly opened Van Gogh Alive exhibit – the immersive, multi-sensory experience of art, light and music that will have you re-thinking your expectations of a museum visit. I still can’t believe I forgot it, but I’ll roll out my standard excuse for such (more frequently occurring) lapses – blonde and old can be a dangerous combination. I’m kidding…..sort of.
Mind you, I didn’t buy the mask specifically for my visit. I bought it (with my Starry Night credit card), for the same reason millions of fans buy anything bearing the iconic image of familiar deep blue skies with entrancing swirling cosmos – we simply love it. It captivates on so many levels.
Equally captivating is the story of Van Gogh’s tortured life and the combination of the two is, to quote Robert Palmer, simply irresistible.
How sadly ironic that one of the most consequential artists in history, whose body of work is worth billions, battled serious mental illness through his most prolific years and then died before any measure of recognition or success was realized.
Looking back, Van Gogh references in Pop Culture are everywhere. Don McLean told us Vincent’s story in the top 40 tune from the 70s. Kirk Douglas played Van Gogh in the 50s classic Lust for Life, which I have seen many times. He nailed the whole tortured, brooding, combative thing Van Gogh was known for. More recently was the fantasy fulfilling episode of Dr. Who. In it, he brought Van Gogh back to the future so that he could finally see the impact of his work on future generations. Even Picasso is not referenced across cultural genres in such a way.
After seeing the Van Gogh collection at the Met and MOMA in NYC and of course, the namesake museum in Amsterdam, I realize how very fortunate I have been to see so many authentic Van Gogh works. The reality, however, is that it is not everyone’s experience. How do communities and their museums provide opportunities for their citizens/patrons to have truly comprehensive art experiences related to master works for which there is limited access? Leave it to technology, new age creatives and forward thinking museums to provide the answer.
The Dalí Museum, on downtown St. Pete’s beautiful waterfront, is the very first North American fine art museum to host Van Gogh Alive which, after touring Australia, Europe and Asia, has become the most visited multi-sensory experience in the world.
It’s a 40 minute journey viewing multiple large scale screens telling the story of Van Gogh’s early career, his years on Paris through his death in 1890 at 37. Classical music seamlessly accompanies the progression of images and animations are added to bring the works to life. You experience the art and the story.
I recently had the chance to catch up with Curator of Education, and art history wonder boy, Peter Tush, for one of our always fascinating conversations – this one about the life of the iconic Dutch post-impressionist, bringing Van Gogh Alive to America and how technology will broaden our access to great art.
Q: How did the Dalí Museum pull off acquiring this internationally high demand show?
A: “We’re very proud of being the first fine art museum in North America to host Van Gogh Alive. For the past several years we’ve been advancing the use of technology and elements of augmented and virtual reality for Dalí Lives, Magritte and Midnight in Paris. We wanted to further that pursuit. Around the same time, our director, Hank Hine learned about the Melbourne based company Grande Exhibitions and their creation of this show. It directly aligned with our goals, so he went for it. How he actually pulled it off is still a secret!”
Q: How have you had to readjust, both for the limited space and Covid-19?
A: “We booked the exhibit long before Covid, so that has definitely been an adjustment. Like so many responsible venues in our community, the Dalí has adopted rigorous health and safety measures. Masks are required, patrons reserve tickets in advance, we have visitors use their own smart devices for audio tours, and there are never any more than 300 visitors allowed in the building at one time. Our guides monitor galleries closely for occupancy. It’s definitely a challenge and a hit to revenues, but we sold out the first two weeks before the exhibit even opened, so there is still great interest.
As far as the space goes, it was a definite challenge for Grande Exhibitions and to recreate the scale and impact produced in much larger venues. But they rose to the challenge to create an experience both true to the original and yet completely unique to the Dalí. The way the huge screens deploy, the perfect synchronization with classical music played in surround-sound, the use of “Sensory 4 Immersive Technology” (developed by Grande Experiences) – we’re thrilled with the result. It’s magical.”
Q: There are usually connections between Dalí and the artists shown here. Is that the case with Van Gogh?
A: “Not to the degree that other exhibits have had. But there are some comparisons. For instance:
1.They both grappled with well reported bouts of madness – Dalí probably more functionally, but mad none the less despite his protestations! Van Gogh’s battle with sanity is certainly well documented.
2. They both were named after brothers who died before they were born, which may certainly have contributed to the madness part.
3. They were both a bit obsessed with Jean-François Millet, the French artist – but probably for opposite reasons. Van Gogh probably gravitated to the landscapes and the plight of the peasant farmers. Dalí, not a fan of realism, probably embraced the darker, fearful and more repellent elements of Millet’s work.
4. Of course, they were both visionaries. Again, for quite different reasons. Dalí embraced a surreal depiction of the world and Van Gogh wanted to project an almost seething realism.”
Q: What do you think Vincent would think about an exhibit like this – on this scale and devoted to his work?
A: “It’s one of those “what if” questions, isn’t it? It’s hard to imagine his ultimately being able to handle it, which is sad. He was so dark, difficult and argumentative. Even when he did sell one painting during his life, it sent him into a depressive spiral that kept him from working for months. On the other hand, Van Gogh so longed to connect with people through his art. It may actually be something that provides the sense of validity he sought his entire life. Interesting to think about.”
Q: What do you want visitors to take away from their experience at Van Gogh Alive?
“Hopefully visitors will come away with a deeper understanding of Van Gogh, his work and his life. I hope they feel a sense of joy in experiencing his art and his story in such an incredibly dramatic way. You simply can’t be indifferent to this this experience. I’d also like visitors to come away with the sense that the Dali Museum is committed to presenting cutting edge concepts by harnessing the creative promise of technology.
Imagine bringing all your ideas of art and nostalgia back to life in the present? It’s exciting.”
Van Gogh Alive is on exhibit through April 11th, 2021 Advance timed-tickets only www.thedali.org. (727) 823-3767
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