Going to Van Gogh

"I always think that the best way to know God is to love many things." - Vincent Van Gogh

"Art is to console those who are broken by life." - Vincent Van Gogh

"When I have a terrible need of - shall I say the word - religion. Then I go out and paint the stars." - Vincent Van Gogh

"I put my heart and soul into my work, and I have lost my mind in the process." - Vincent Van Gogh

"If you truly love nature you will find beauty everywhere." - Vincent Van Gogh

I love the art of Vincent Van Gogh. I always have. I used to have a giant print of his Sunflowers in our dining room, but we took it down and gave it to our mailman, Tim who wanted to give it to his wife. When I home schooled my boys I had them paint their own version of Starry Night. So, since I first heard of the Van Gogh Immersive, I've wanted to go. So, I bought tickets and Bob and I went. It was sold out in Orange County, so we had to go to Los Angeles. It was a long drive to a venue that I've never seen before. Oh yeah, and we had to wear masks, even if we were vaccinated. I'm triple vaccinated. We were given lanyards to wear, the opportunity to buy refreshment - we had coffee - we were tired. Then we were given our seat cushions because the places to sit were benches, folding chairs, or the floor. We went into a dark room where music was playing and where Van Gogh's paintings were to come to life. We sat on the floor and watched as images repeated themselves and moved and swayed to the music. Patrons were to be immersed in Van Gogh's works. It was Van Gogh surround sights and sounds. I just kept wishing I'd gotten high before going in. It was not what I'd expected. It was extremely short - maybe one full hour. But when we left the first room to go and experience the second room, we found that it was the exact same thing that we saw in the first room. This room was bigger with circles six feet apart. There was a set of stairs where you could go up and see the show from above, which doesn't really make any difference because it is all the same on all six sides of the cube we are inside of. We both came out of the venue saying, "That was it?" I felt like I'd gotten robbed - so would I feel this way if I'd been high? Maybe if they come out with the Van Gogh Immersive Home Edition, I'll find out. But, I'm not willing to go again and purchase tickets just to see it high and then compare. Don't shut your eyes for any amount of time, otherwise you'll miss a lot, it's just that short. It all flies by - the paintings - and the time. Don't waste your money - go to a museum instead.

I still love the art of Van Gogh and will always feel connected to nature when I view his work.