Immersive, multisensory art experience welcomes viewers to an inviting exploration of the iconic artist’s work
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Vincent van Gogh’s paintings, including the magical “Starry Night” and radiant “Sunflowers,” have astounded viewers with their vibrancy and color. His brief and troubled life makes him one of the most fascinating figures in Western art history. Van Gogh Alive, opening Nov. 21, 2020, at The Dalí Museum, offers visitors an immersive art installation, harnessing multisensory technology that will allow them to revel in the celebrated painter’s artistic genius. The experience will be on display at The Dalí through April 11, 2021.
The special exhibition features Van Gogh images at enormous scale, presented through high-definition projectors and synchronized to a powerful classical score. Cinema-quality surround sound amplifies the emotion generated by the works themselves. The installationis powered by SENSORY4™, a unique system developed by Grande Experiences of Melbourne, Australia.
“The Dalí Museum is at the forefront of technology, embracing new methods to engage guests in unconventional ways,” said Hank Hine, executive director of The Dalí. “Just as we have used technology to bring both Dalí and his works to life, Van Gogh Alive offers a unique installation that expands how we are able to experience art.”
Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of Western art. The son of a Protestant pastor, Van Gogh made an unsuccessful attempt at theological studies before turning to art at the age of 27. Completely self-taught, Van Gogh was one of the most prolific artists of his time. In 10 years, he produced more than 2,000 works but only sold one work during his lifetime. His suicide in 1890 brought him into the public imagination as a misunderstood genius who continues to inspire new generations.
“The response has been wonderful,” said Beth Bell, Dalí Museum marketing director. “Opening week of Van Gogh Alive is already sold out, but plenty of tickets are still available through Jan. 3, 2021. Additional 2021 dates will be released on Dec. 4, 2020.” To control capacities and ensure safe physical distancing, advanced timed tickets are required for all visitors – this includes members, who receive free admission but still must reserve their time. Tickets for Van Gogh Alive are included in The Dalí’s general admission price which includes access to the Museum’s unparalleled collection of Dalí’s works, gardens and other on-site features. Tickets can be purchased online at TheDali.org.
To coincide with the opening of Van Gogh Alive starting Nov. 21, 2020, The Dalí will be open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (until 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays) to welcome more visitors while continuing to operate at reduced capacity for health and safety reasons.
Related Programs and Events
The Dalí has organized several programs and events inspired by the special exhibit. Details, including tickets and reservations, are available at TheDali.org.
On Dec. 21, A Starry Night with Bishop Planetarium will include an education talk alongside stargazing in the Museum’s Avant-garden.
On Jan. 16 and in partnership with Keep St. Pete Lit, guests can enjoy a Nature Writing workshop at Demens Landing inspired by Van Gogh’s works’ connection to nature.
On Jan. 23, the Museum will host a Starry Night at The Dalí Fundraiser presented by Van Gogh Vodka, an outdoor event with stargazing, music, cocktails and more, plus access to the Van Gogh Alive exhibit.
On Jan. 28, media arts curator and founder of Boston Cyberarts, Inc., George Fifield will give an online presentation about the history of art and technology.
Museum Store and Café
Inspired by one of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings, Café Gala exhibition-themed specials will include a Starry Night Cheese Plate, featuring roasted red wine pear, Danish Blue cheese, aged Gouda, a Holland Apricot Jam, spiced cashews, sliced starfruit, caper berries and grilled artisan breads in addition to The Boterkoek, a Dutch butter cake.
The Museum store will have a selection of items that aim to create an emotional connection to Van Gogh’s art, including souvenirs and gift items with a range of price points, inspired by his works: “Sunflowers,” “Starry Night” and “Almond Blossom.”
Currently at The Dalí
Diego & Frida: A Visual History features over 60 reproductions of rare historical photographs, offering a personal look into the rich and harrowing 25-year relationship of one of the most fascinating couples in art history – Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. This exhibition is on loan from The Consulate of Mexico in Orlando and is made possible by the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo. It is on display through Jan. 3, 2021, in the Raymond James Community Room.
At Home with Dalí showcases a diverse group of portraits by five photographers – Horst P. Horst, Ricardo Sans, Melitó Casals, Lies Wiegman and Robert Descharnes. The 40 images, dating from the 1950s and early 1960s, provide an intimate view of Dalí in his home environment in Spain. The exhibit is on display in the Wittner Gallery of the Tom & Mary James Wing.
Health & Safety at The Dalí
The Dalí continues to implement procedures to help protect the health and safety of visitors, volunteers, members and staff. The Museum is operating at reduced capacity via advanced timed tickets. All staff and visitors are required to wear masks and have a thermal temperature check upon entering the building. Physical distancing reminders, plexi-screens and hand-sanitizer stations are placed in key locations. All payments at parking, store and café must be via credit card only. More information about The Dalí’s safety precautions can be found at TheDali.org/safety.
About The Dalí Museum
The Dalí Museum, located in the heart of picturesque downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, is home to an unparalleled collection of over 2,400 Salvador Dalí works, including nearly 300 oil paintings, watercolors and drawings, as well as more than 2,100 prints, photographs, posters, textiles, sculptures and objets d’art. The Museum’s nonprofit mission, to care for and share its collection locally and internationally, is grounded by a commitment to education and sustained by a culture of philanthropy.
The Dalí is recognized internationally by the Michelin Guide with a three-star rating; has been deemed “one of the top buildings to see in your lifetime” by AOL Travel News; and named one of the ten most interesting museums in the world by Architectural Digest. The building itself is a work of art, including a geodesic glass bubble, nicknamed The Enigma, featuring 1,062 triangular glass panels, a fitting tribute to Salvador Dalí’s legacy of innovation and transformation. Explore The Dalí anytime with the free Dalí Museum App, available on Google Play and in the App Store. The Dalí Museum is located at One Dalí Boulevard, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701. For more information visit TheDali.org.
About Grande Experiences
Grande Experiences, the creator and promoter of Van Gogh Alive, specializes in the creation, design, production, promotion and installation of large-scale exhibitions with broad cultural appeal and engaging, entertaining and educational content. From concept to completion, Grande Experiences creates visually and technically stunning masterpieces and transports them around the world. Its experiences have travelled to over 145 cities across six continents, to audiences in excess of 17 million people. Grande Experiences is based in Melbourne, Australia, with satellite offices in the UK and the U.S. Grande Exhibitions also owns and operates Museo Leonardo da Vinci, a permanent museum in a prestigious central location in Rome, Italy.
What is SENSORY4™?
Developed by Grande Experiences, SENSORY4™ is a unique system that combines multi-channel motion graphics, cinema-quality surround sound and up to 40 high-definition projectors to provide one of the most exciting multi-screen environments in the world. The resulting experience is dynamic, informative and visually spectacular. Incredibly detailed images flow through the mass of projectors and merge with digital surround sound to saturate the space in a breathtaking immersive display.
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Media Contact: Amber Hendrickson | Blue Water Communications
amber@bluewatercommunications.biz | 800.975.3212