Year 2 - Day # 107 - Immersive Van Gough

Today was my little excursion or field trip. It also celebrates a sort of milestone? In that it is a day of firsts for me at least -

First:

* Time in Manhattan since 2019
* Theater or museum exhibit scene since 2019
* Ride on the subway for leisure or pleasure purpose
* Activity that involved being indoors with a large group of people, that wasn't related to a vaccine, work, or medical purposes


What did I do? I went to the Immersive Van Gough Experience in Manhattan (aka NYC), around 10:15 am. I got there at 11 :10 am, my tickets had entry anytime between 11 am -12 pm, with fifteen minutes before the first time slot and twenty minutes after the last time slot. Also with flexible tickets - I could arrive up to two hours before to two hours after. I stayed until 12:02 pm.

Was running a bit late (not that I could technically be late to it), due to the fact that I'd forgotten to charge my phone the night before. My father asked me over the phone why I needed my phone. (Tickets, to take photos, for the GPS...) In the man's defense, he does have dementia.

The subway ride was uneventful - and rather vacant for the most part - until the end at any rate. And it was easier to find and get to than expected. It's under the FDR highway, on Pier 36 - the northeast corner of South Street Seaport, north of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. I walked past the NY Public Library (a lovely branch) to get to it.



It's kind of hard to describe the experience without photos. So I took a few. When I got there - the line was kind of haphazardly distanced. But, since getting vaccinated, I'm no longer that worried. Also you have to wear a mask, and I had a KN95.

Here's a photo of the entry way - which is kind of blurry.
( Read more... )

Once inside, there are about three rooms, and a balcony over the biggest room. The biggest room is kind of the size of a football field with a middle section that holds up the balcony. The posts in the middle section are covered with mirrors. I did go up on the balcony - it was a good way to get the scope of the room, and see what was happening on the floor below.



The above picture gives you an idea of what it looks like. The paintings are projected on the walls and floor - or rather one series of paintings are. Van Gough did series of paintings on a theme - and they basically took those paintings and merged them together with various projections. The ceiling isn't covered though - which disappointed me. I was expecting it to be a floor to ceiling affair. But it is a bit like sitting in a painting.

You can take photos, but please be kind and turn off the flash. It's annoying to those around you. (I wanted to smack the woman sitting next to the post over the head.)

In regards to seating? They do have a few benches (which I didn't expect), along with chairs. But mainly you sit on the floor or stand. Most sit. Since you can't bring in a seat cushion, rent one or buy one - prior with your ticket. The floor isn't rock hard however.

The large room is the best for viewing - you see all the paintings, and there's more space to sit and immerse yourself.



The small rooms are kind of cool because they have mirrored sculptures in them that warp the paintings in interesting ways.



The experience also involves music. It's a kind of electronic classical music - no real lyrics, just the music, which is loud enough that vibrates through the walls and floor of the space, and blocks out conversation. So it's just you, the music and the art - also you see other people. But everyone is quiet or muffled.

I didn't find the music that loud, but it should be noted that I listen to music all day long with head phones. Also unless it's heavy metal or feed back, I don't mind loud music. I live in NYC - there's sirens, the screech of subways on tracks, etc. So I honestly didn't think it was loud at all.
Your mileage may vary on this point.

Anyhow - if you have Spotify - here it IS.
( playlist )

At first, I was a bit disappointed - because I went in with high expectations. I was expecting less people, more immersion, etc. But I got over it - quickly, and after a while really began to enjoy it. It's very meditative - and oddly relaxing. Also it helps if you love Van Gough or like Van Gough, and classical electronica music.

The best bit was towards the end - when the did Starry Night.



You can stay as long as you want. They have a little cafe - where you can order food and drinks, restrooms, a gift shop and unlimited entrance. You don't get the poster though until you decide to leave and return the cushions.

I stayed just under an hour. The presentation is about 35 minutes long, and repeated. I came in the middle of the first fifteen minutes of the first presentation, and it took me a while to find a place to sit. So stayed through the second one, leaving once it was over for the gift shop and restrooms.

Bought a thermal tumbler with Starry Night encircling it, and a plastic sip lid at the gift shop. Then exited and took photos of the river, bridges and pier, along with the city.



And after buying some water - since I was parched, I ambled back to the subway, stopping to take photos of the NY Public Library and Courtyard.



After I got home, spoke with mother and Wales. Wales wants to get together this weekend - bemoaning the fact that she only has two sane friends to talk to, and no one else. ( Read more... )

Anyhow, it was lovely to be back in Manhattan. I missed Manhattan.
I didn't realize how much until I was there. I also missed people. Just being around lots of people in a peaceful and meditative space.

No, the pandemic is not over - and it was evident everywhere I went, since people are wearing masks. ( Read more... )

Anyhow, despite the pandemic crap - I enjoyed my excursion far more than expected. It was good to get out into the world again, although I know most have. On that note - here's a photo of the city...