According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), tourism numbers show strengthening visitation — up 20% in February, with 1,540,000 passing through. But those numbers are still down by half from that period a year ago.
And while there were no convention visitors in February, the situation is fast changing as limitations on large group meetings is relaxed.
Enter Van Gogh
Into this turbulent and changing climate comes an artist who was no stranger to turbulence. Vincent Van Gogh painted in chaotic and rough-hewn strokes that expressed his heartfelt passions and fears. And now visitors to Las Vegas will have the chance to enter the artist’s mind through the city’s next big attraction.
Las Vegas is not new to big installations. Nor does it slink away from shoring up surprises. This one will be the city’s biggest entertainment attraction to launch since the beginning of the Great Pandemic Shut-Down a year ago and for what it’s worth, this one is worth it.
Lighthouse Immersive and Foster Entertainment, the catalysts of the mesmerizing digital art space, are bringing its latest worldwide sensation, Immersive Van Gogh, to the heart of Las Vegas – but the “secret location” has yet to be announced. Meanwhile, a preview of this exhibit is being bounced around as something that may open at Area 15 as soon as next month.
The visually-striking exhibition encourages guests to experience the awe-inspiring works of post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh through 500,000 cubic feet of immersive projections, 60,600 frames of video and 90,000,000 pixels. Immersive Van Gogh will be making its Las Vegas debut at a secret location, soon to be announced. The exhibit is set to open July 1, 2021.
The exhibit is a strikingly spectacular digital art exhibition that invites audiences to “step inside” the legendary works of post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh, evoking his highly emotional and chaotic inner consciousness through art, light, music, movement, and imagination. Featuring stunning towering projections that illuminate the mind of the artistic genius, the exhibition will feature a curated selection of images from Van Gogh’s 2,000+ lifetime catalog of masterpieces, including Mangeurs de Pommes de Terre (The Potato Eaters, 1885), Nuit étoilée (Starry Night, 1889), Les Tournesols (Sunflowers, 1888), and La Chambre à coucher (The Bedroom, 1889). The projected paiintings will be presented as a way to illustrate how the artist first saw the scenes, based on an active life and moving landscapes turned into sharp yet sweeping brush strokes.
The hour-long, timed-entry, walk-through experience is designed with health and safety as a priority. Capacity will be limited in accordance with the City of Las Vegas’ safety protocols. Additional safety precautions include touchless ticket-taking, temperature checks upon arrival, hand sanitizer stations, social distancing markers throughout the venue, and digitally projected social distancing circles on the gallery floors to ensure appropriate spacing. All guests must wear a face covering at all times during their visit.
Designed by Creative Director and Italian film producer Massimiliano Siccardi, Immersive Van Gogh contains original, mood-setting music by Italian multimedia composer Luca Longobardi and Vittorio Guidotti as the Art Director. Siccardi immersive productions in Paris have been seen by over 2 million visitors and were featured on the Netflix TV show “Emily in Paris,” episode 5.
“We’ve created a unique and enthralling production that functions safely during this pandemic,” says Co-Producer, Svetlana Dvoretsky. “Over 200,000 guests have seen Immersive Van Gogh in small, socially-distanced safe groups. It is an honor to bring the arts back into peoples’ lives during these times,” adds Co-Producer, Corey Ross.
“Despite being unknown throughout his life, Van Gogh’s artwork has created a lasting impact through its emotional richness and simple beauty,” said Siccardi.
Immersive Van Gogh has already entertained more than 200,000 guests since its North American debut last July. The Las Vegas site will be the company’s ninth location, following the successful on-going and sold-out exhibits in Toronto, CAN, San Francisco, and Chicago, with additional productions scheduled to open in Los Angeles (May 27, 2021) and Dallas (June 17, 2021).
Tickets and information can be accessed at this online location. Regular adult passes are expected to start at $59.99.