Are There 2 Van Gogh Experiences in London?

By Anna Duncan

If you are a fan of Vincent Van Gogh’s art, you may have heard about the Van Gogh Experience in London. But did you know there are two different experiences available in the city? Let’s explore both and see what makes them unique.

The Van Gogh Experience at Kensington Gardens

The first Van Gogh Experience is located at Kensington Gardens, a beautiful park in the heart of London. This immersive exhibition takes you on a journey through Van Gogh’s life and art, with special attention given to his time in London. The experience features over 3000 images of Van Gogh’s work projected onto the walls of a large hall, accompanied by a specially curated soundtrack.

One of the unique features of this exhibition is that it includes some rarely seen paintings by Van Gogh that are normally kept in private collections around the world. It also includes interactive elements such as virtual reality experiences that allow visitors to step into some of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings.

What to Expect

When you enter the exhibition, you will be given a headset that plays an audio guide as you walk through the space. The audio guide provides context for each section of the exhibit and tells stories about Van Gogh’s life and work. You can also take your time to explore each section at your own pace.

Some notable sections include:

  • A replica of Van Gogh’s bedroom
  • A recreation of his painting studio
  • A virtual reality experience where you can walk through one of his paintings

The Immersive Van Gogh Experience at The Old Truman Brewery

The second Van Gogh Experience is located at The Old Truman Brewery, an arts and culture center in East London. This exhibition takes a more abstract approach to showcasing Van Gogh’s art, using digital projections to create an immersive environment that surrounds the viewer with moving images and sounds.

The experience features over 500,000 cubic feet of projections, allowing visitors to walk through Van Gogh’s paintings as if they were inside them. The exhibition is set to a specially curated soundtrack that includes classical music, modern pop songs, and ambient sounds.

When you enter the exhibition, you will be greeted by a large hall filled with projections of Van Gogh’s art. You can walk through the space at your own pace and explore different sections of the exhibit. Some notable sections include:

  • A room filled with sunflowers
  • A recreation of Van Gogh’s Starry Night
  • A “dream room” where visitors can lie down and watch a projection on the ceiling

Which Experience Should You Choose?

Both Van Gogh Experiences offer unique ways to explore the artist’s work, so it really depends on what kind of experience you are looking for. If you are interested in learning more about Van Gogh’s life and art in a more traditional museum-style setting, the Kensington Gardens exhibition may be for you. If you want a more immersive and abstract experience that allows you to step inside Van Gogh’s paintings, The Old Truman Brewery exhibit might be a better fit.

Regardless of which experience you choose, both offer an incredible opportunity to appreciate one of the most famous artists in history in a whole new way.