Away We Gogh! Virtual-Reality Exhibit Takes Visitors on an Emotional Journey Through the Artist’s Final Years

Away We Gogh! Virtual-Reality Exhibit Takes Visitors on an Emotional Journey Through the Artist’s Final Years

YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN the billboards. You've certainly seen the ads on Facebook and Instagram. And now, after months of anticipation, the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit has opened its doors in a warehouse in West Houston.


Through Jan. 3, the virtual-reality art experience allows Houstonians to step inside the paintings and the life of the celebrated artist. The emotional production, designed by Italian producer Massimiliano and including music by multimedia composer Luca Longobardi, specifically explores Van Gogh's final years leading up to his taking his own life.

It shows the "journey through life and struggles, and the creative process of the artist," said Impact Museums' Diana Rayzman at a ribbon-cutting ceremony last night. In today's cultural climate, she believes people are wanting to be "inspired by beauty and art and also confronted with the darkness and difficulty of the human experience."

Visitors enter the site-specific exhibit through an arched and mirrored hallway dubbed the "Van Gogh Chapel," inspired by Houston's Rothko Chapel. Once inside the main room, attendees can sit or stand within a socially distanced circle to take in the 35-minute show, comprised of 60,600 frames of video projected across 500,000 cubic feet. Van Gogh's landscapes move; his still-life paintings are brought to life with sweeping brush strokes.

The venue is located at 1314 Brittmoore Rd., in the Founder's District, next-door to the innovation incubator The Cannon. The warehouse will soon become known as the Lighthouse Artspace, and will be home to future immersive art and entertainment experiences.

Houston is the 13th North American location of Immersive Van Gogh, which has sold more than 3 million tickets across the continent.

Art + Entertainment
Leadership in Action: Clothiers Murry and Karen Penner Celebrate Family Business’ 50-Year Anny

Murry & Karen Penner, Owners, M PENNER

How did you get where you are today? We’ve stayed true to the vision of the store’s founder, Morris Penner, who relentlessly sought out unique product, with exceptional quality being a key element. Morris always used to say, “The fastest way to lose a customer is to bore him” and we agree. A percentage of every season’s budget is allocated to something new and unique. While product is key, it’s not enough. Having an excellent staff and discipline in business practices is also critical.

Keep Reading Show less

EVEN THOUGH WE hope things cool down outside, some folks in Houston are about to get even hotter with the arrival of trendy fitness studio Ritual One next month in Uptown Park. The Dallas-based concept will offer classes like Power Sculpt, Hot Pilates, Power Yoga, Inferno Flow, and Inferno HIIT — all taking place in its infrared-heated studios.

Keep Reading Show less
Style

Evan and Kate Elsenbrook and Elyse and Drew Tolson

SUPPORTERS OF RONALD McDonald House Charities of Greater Houston gathered for a whimsically fun fete at the Hilton Americas hotel. The 2024 Boo Ball was themed "Once Upon a Time," and it raised a true happily-ever-after amount of $1 million — a new record!

Keep Reading Show less
Parties