This summer, Kensington Gardens will host Van Gogh Alive, an immersive, multi-sensory experience that exhibits the life and work of the seminal Dutch artist. The first event to be hosted in this prestigious location since 2016, visitors will be treated to a world-class cultural experience in the heart of one of London’s most loved Royal Parks.
Having welcomed over 7 million visitors in 65 cities around the world including its most recent sell-out run in Sydney, Australia, where it dazzled audiences in a Covid-safe environment, Van Gogh Alive promises to be one of the highlights of this summer’s event calendar when it opens its doors on 4 June 2021.
Presented by the independent financial advisory firm Timothy James & Partners, Van Gogh Alive allows you to experience the artist like never before. This multi-sensory experience completely immerses you in the life and work of Vincent van Gogh as you travel through periods of his life that defined him as an artist. Experience over 3,000 images from the artist that are spectacularly presented with stunning detail, including iconic works like Starry Night, Sunflowers and lesser-known paintings that were inspired by his love of Japanese woodprints.
State-of-the-art SENSORY4™ immersive gallery technology immaculately displays Van Gogh’s work in a kaleidoscope of colour. Set to an evocative classical score that is delivered via a high-fidelity 3D sound system, this combination of sound, visuals and aromas of Provence will give visitors the sensation of walking right into his paintings as if they are living and breathing.
Van Gogh Alive will also feature an interpretive area where you can learn more about Van Gogh’s life and works as well as interactive art stations where you can create your own art with the help of expert video tutorials.
Tickets are priced from £24 for adults and £14 for children and are now on sale here. A limited number of dates are also available for companies or individuals interested in hosting an exclusive private viewing to entertain up to 350 clients, employees or family in a unique Covid-safe environment.
This is an imaginative, powerful and unique experience that allows people to get closer to Van Gogh than ever before and it’s incredibly moving. The experience is accessible, educational and a masterclass in using technology to reimagine the way people experience art. And of course hosted at Kensington Gardens it’s a beautiful backdrop to celebrate and enjoy one of the world’s greatest artists.
Alun Mainwaring, Head of Events at The Royal Parks.
Visitors can create their own souvenirs within a life sized walk-in representation of Van Gogh’s ‘Bedroom in Arles’ painting and the iconic ‘Sunflower selfie room’ – a 360° mirrored room complete with hundreds of sunflowers that has delighted Instagram feeds the world over. Create your own modern masterpiece in theses spectacular rooms and share your images using #VanGoghAliveLondon.
This immersive art experience provides a COVID safe environment that exceeds government guidelines, with controlled visitor capacities and managed visitor flow.
Once visitors have finished immersing themselves in the life and works of Van Gogh, they will be able to refuel in the Café Provençale where they can enjoy a delicious array of food whilst watching the world go by inside Kensington Gardens.
Van Gogh Alive has partnered with three amazing charities to use the experience as a platform to help them raise vital funds to continue their incredible work. The three charities are SHOUT 85258 who are a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope with their mental health, Global’s Make Some Noise who support small charities helping some of the most disadvantaged people in communities across the UK, and Kingston Hospital Charity who works with its partner hospital to help provide outstanding patient-centred care that is over and above what is possible with NHS funding alone.
We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Van Gogh Alive on this stunning immersive experience. Our partnership will generate vital funds to help train many more Shout Volunteers to support hundreds of thousands of people with their mental health. Shout 85258 provides free, 24/7 mental health support to anyone who is struggling to cope. Van Gogh's own struggles with his mental health are well documented and this event represents a unique opportunity for us to come together to both celebrate his life and work, and to raise awareness of the support available from Shout, at a time when so many people have been struggling with their mental health.
Victoria Hornby, CEO of Mental Health Innovations, the charity behind the Shout 85258 service.
