A mesmerising and moving show which brings Vincent van Gogh’s works to swirling life around its visitors opens in Birmingham this week.
Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience will be at Hall 11 at Birmingham NEC from Thursday, 1 August to Sunday, 1 September as part of a strictly limited run of UK dates.
And ahead of its opening to the public, a special VIP preview event will take place at the venue on Wednesday evening for invited guests including leading figures in the city.
The attraction has already delighted tens of thousands of art lovers in Liverpool and Glasgow, with praise coming from members of the public and critics alike who have described it as ‘magnificent’, ‘captivating’, ‘imaginatively created and curated’ and ‘deeply moving’.
Produced by Annerin Productions and Paquin Entertainment Group, the immersive experience is the largest Van Gogh show ever staged in Birmingham, combining more than 300 paintings with cutting-edge technology and a specially curated musical soundtrack to tell the story of one of history’s most influential artists.
Visitors are taken on a journey through the artist’s world from darkness to light, enhanced by his own dreams, thoughts and words set to a stirring symphonic score in this sensational narrative experience which appeals to a whole new generation of art enthusiasts and Van Gogh fans alike.
Beginning in the Introduction Hall, visitors connect with Vincent van Gogh through personal letters he wrote to his brother, and greatest supporter, Theo.
Visitors then move into the heart of the exhibition – the Immersive Room – where Van Gogh’s paintings are freed from their frames to dominate the space and fully immerse the audience in the incredible detail of his work, awakening their imagination in a playful and dreamlike way as they are enveloped in colourful flowers, cafés and stunning landscapes, shifting and swirling across the projection-swathed walls and floor.
While entry is by timed ticket, visitors can spend as much time as they want inside the experience.
Youngsters aged three and under go free, and ticket prices for children aged four to 12 start at £9.60, making it a great option for families to make special memories over the summer holidays.
VIP Experience tickets are also available which include selected Beyond Van Gogh merchandise, flexible arrival times and fast track entry.
And there is also a chance to take part in special Saturday morning yoga sessions which are held inside the exhibition itself.
Anna Parry, UK Business Development at Annerin Productions, said today: I’m so excited to see Beyond Van Gogh open at Birmingham NEC this week. We knew we couldn’t present the exhibition in the UK and not bring it to the beating cultural heart of England.
“It’s a truly immersive, intense and memorable experience. Audiences in Liverpool and Glasgow have also told us how profound and moving they have found it. And we’ve seen many young visitors who have been absolutely entranced by the paintings which spring to life around them.
“I can’t wait to open the doors in Birmingham now and welcome new visitors to Vincent’s wonderful world.”
Ian Taylor, Managing Director at the NEC Group, added: “We’re really excited for people in the Midlands to experience Beyond Van Gogh. It’s a beautiful exhibition that really takes your breath away.
“The truly immersive experience is incredible and a brilliant example of how diverse a venue the NEC can be!”
For more information
Website – www.beyondvangogh.co.uk
Facebook – Beyond Van Gogh UK
Instagram – @beyondvangoghuk
Official trailer – www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1rdu9psKRs