Everyone was excited upon the announcement of Van Gogh Alive Manila taking place at One Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City. Doesn’t matter if you’ve heard about the world-famous exhibit before it came to the Philippines, I mean it’s the legendary Vincent van Gogh we are talking about here!
I was curious because tickets ran out fast for the first two weeks alone, and this was before Van Gogh Alive Manila opened on October 26. As of this writing, the next available date is a week and a half from now.
Anyway! One of the highlights of the exhibit is the artist’s very own Vincent’s Bedroom in Arles as it comes to life in an interactive setting. You’re allowed to take a photo and imagine as if you’re inside the room itself.
Inside Van Gogh Alive Manila
For the exhibit, I’m not one to talk since it probably depends on the crowd during your time slot, but expect people walking around and taking photos.
You will mostly see silhouettes exuding a vibe that will remind you of the little fantasy world you made when you were a kid.
When I saw that everyone was doing it (don’t judge), I asked my friend to take a quick photo of me just for keeps.
To tell you the truth, I expected bigger screens at a slower pace, perhaps something more intense and emotional. It was the first time, after all, that I heard about Grande Exhibitions’ SENSORY4™. This system purposely combines motion graphics and sound with 40 high-definition projectors for that magical show.
About 30 minutes later, people were already settling down, admiring beautiful masterpieces projected on the screen—and that’s when I felt the emotions flooding all over me.
I was able to focus on the artwork, and the excerpts from Vincent van Gogh’s letters intensified the whole experience. It was an all-in-one artistic package of paintings, literature, and music. I shed a little tear amidst the dim light when Erik Satie’s Gymnopedie No. 1 played—I swear there was a moment of calmness in a crowded room.
So if you ask me if it’s worth it, sure. But it depends on you if you can shut everyone out for a moment and appreciate art as if you’re the only person in the room.
Nonetheless, don’t stress if you really can’t afford the ticket. There are so many ways in which you can appreciate his art.
By now, you know about the gatekeeping issues that bombarded social media a couple of days ago, but here are my two cents: let people enjoy art, whatever form it is, as long as the pleasure does not get in the way of other people enjoying that same view. We all paid for the ticket, so just respect each other’s rights.
Van Gogh Alive Manila is available only until December 8. You may buy your tickets priced at PHP750 via The Mind Museum website or at the Van Gogh Alive booth in One Bonifacio High.
One time slot runs for one hour and 30 minutes. Make sure to be there 15 minutes before your slot as tickets are non-refundable. Check out more information about the exhibit here.
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