« Van Gogh – la nuit étoilée » this is the exhibition we attended.
Another exhibition about Van Gogh, you must think. Well, let me tell you, this was more! It was an amazing sensory immersion in his work, the main reason why I decided to take the kids there.
A few months ago, the exhibition at the Atelier des lumières (where this experiment takes place) offered an immersion in the work of Klimt, but I could not attend it because I have never managed to get tickets, they were always sold out!
« VAN GOGH – la nuit étoilée » takes you into a three-dimensional work that unfolds multiple images of paintings well known to the artist in a gigantic hangar with high height, projecting them continuously from floor to ceiling : we are literally IN the paintings, immersed in the work, following the story that crosses us and touches us in all our senses, visual as auditory, the work being counted in music (Lully, Vivaldi, Brahms, but also Nina Simone , Janis Joplin or Miles Davis).
These images are projected in very high definition, passing from the brush to the various tools of the painter, but also his various techniques, and especially his known scenes: the fields of corn, his room with his straw chair, and even his self-portraits .
We enter his work, without entering into his life, the atelier des lumières does not give a lesson of art history, it gives you the opportunity to enter the painting of the artist and relive his works, music and the play of immersive lights transporting you in a disconcerting and captivating poetry.
What I really appreciated was that his suicide and the corresponding darkness were not mentioned, but more the predominance of the yellow color in his work, the color whose brightness obsessed him from the fields to the stars light in the night on the Rhone in Arles or the church of Auvers sur Oise, sunflowers, olive trees, yellow, sun, LIGHT.
As for the boys, their reactions were different: Roman was somewhat frightened at times, – it must be admitted that entering the darkness to be flooded with light and 360-degree drawings in music might be a bit confusing – when Andréa was only joy, letting the lights dance on him and discovering an artist he did not even know exists.
As we’re here to talk about pros and cons, we have to admit there is a lot of people (900 people that day) so you have to keep your children close to you because they might get lost quickly.
Another negative point would be the many people that sit on the ground just like they were waiting for Netflix, while the idea of such an immersive experience is much more to wander and walk around.
On Budget level, there is a family package, two children two adults for 42 euros, but you really have to look for tickets a month before going there.
The exhibition runs until December 31 and the Atelier des lumières is located 38 rue Saint-Maur in the eleventh arrondissement of Paris.
Cherry on the cake, a second exhibition is included in the visit: « Japon rêvée » displaying a fantasy side of Japan via samurai, geisha and mystical forest.
From sakuras (cherry trees) to lanterns floating in the wind, and even the Great Wave of Kanagawa by Hokusai, you’re thrown into a dreamy and almost unreal reverie.
Needless to say, I highly recommend this experience,
X Liza
« Van Gogh – la nuit étoilée », voilà l’exposition à laquelle nous avons assisté.
Une énième exposition sur Van Gogh me direz-vous. Et bien détrompez-vous, il s’agissait là d’une étonnante immersion sensorielle dans son oeuvre, raison principale pour laquelle j’ai décidé d’y emmener les enfants.
Il y a quelques mois, l’exposition de l’atelier des lumières (lieu où se déroule cette expérience) proposait une immersion dans l’oeuvre de Klimt, mais j’e n’ai pas pu y assister car je n’ai jamais réussi à avoir de billets !
« VAN GOGH – la Nuit étoilée » vous fait entrer dans une oeuvre tridimensionnelle qui déploie de multiples images de tableaux bien connus de l’artiste au sein d’un hangar gigantesque, tout hauteur, en les projetant en flux continu du sol au plafond : on est littéralement DANS les tableaux, immergé dans l’oeuvre, suivant l’histoire qui nous traverse et nous touche dans tous nos sens, visuels comme auditifs, l’oeuvre étant comptée en musique (Lully, Vivaldi, Brahms, mais aussi Nina Simone, Janis Joplin ou Miles Davis).
Ces images sont projetées en très haute définition, passant du pinceau aux différents outils de l’artiste peintre, mais également ses différentes techniques, et surtout ses scènes connues : les champs de blés, sa chambre avec sa chaise en paille, et même ses autoportraits.
On entre dans son oeuvre, sans pour autant entrer dans sa vie, l’atelier des lumières ne donne pas un cours d’histoire de l’art, il vous donne l’opportunité de pénétrer dans le tableau de l’artiste et de revivre ses oeuvres, la musique et le jeu des lumières immergeantes vous transportant dans une poésie déconcertante et envoutante.
Ce que j’ai beaucoup apprécié c’est que son suicide et la noirceur correspondante n’y soit pas évoquée, mais bien plus la prédominance de la couleur jaune, cette couleur dont l’éclat l’obsédait des champs aux étoiles qui s’allument dans la nuit sur le Rhône en Arles ou sur l’église d’Auvers sur Oise, du sol au plafond, des tournesols, des blés, des oliviers, le jaune, le soleil, la LUMIÈRE.
En ce qui concerne les garçons, leurs réactions ont été différentes : Roman était quelque peu effrayé par moment, – il faut bien avouer que pénétrer dans la pénombre pour ensuite être inondée de lumière et de dessins à 360 degrés en musique est tout de même déroutant-, lorsqu’Andréa n’était que joie, laissant les lumières porter sur lui les oeuvres d’un artiste dont il n’avait même pas connaissance.
Petit bémol tout de même, il y a énormément de monde (900 personnes ce jour là) il vous est donc recommandé de ben tenir vos enfants car on s’y perd rapidement; et malheureusement de nombreuses personnes s’installent au sol comme devant Netflix, alors que l’intérêt d’une telle expérience immersive est bien plus de déambuler.
Niveau budget, il existe un forfait famille, deux enfants deux adultes pour 42 euros, il faut vraiment vous prendre un mois à l’avance pour espérer avoir des places.
L’exposition court jusqu’au 31 décembre et l’Atelier des lumières est situé 38 rue Saint-Maur dans le onzième.
Cerise sur le gâteau, une seconde exposition est comprise dans la visite : « Japon rêvée ». Vous partirez dans le monde imaginaire et fantastique du Japon, des samouraïs, des geishas.
Des sakuras (cerisiers) en passant par les lanternes flottant au gré du vent, la Grande Vague de Kanagawa par Hokusai finira de vous projeter dans une rêverie douce et presque irréelle.
Je vous conseille vivement cette expérience,
X Liza
Liza Perry 
This sounds like such a neat experience. I can see how the immersive nature of it would be a little strange to young kids, but it probably really pulls you into the exhibit.
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Totally 🙂 A little strange at the beginning but 100% worth it 🙂
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What a beautiful way to experience artwork that you already know and love. Such a great and interesting way to introduce your children to these works of art.
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Yes! These are exactly the reason I wanted to go there :).
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This sounds very interesting.kids must have enjoyed
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They loved it although one of them was a little scared lol
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Wow!!!! What a great experience. going for exhibition event is one of my favorite.
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Thank you! Mine too 😉
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What a cool-looking exhibit! That sounds like an amazing experience. We did something equally immersive once with all mirrors, and the kids and adults alike loved it!
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OhI would love to try with mirrors! My twins would love it!
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Looks so interesting! If I visit Paris in the next few months, I will surely check this out ☺
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It is available until december 31th 🙂
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this looks like it have a lot of amazing stuff and Really worth a visit. I’m sure you had a great experience!
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We had a great experience and I really recommend it! 🙂
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ah, we just had that very same exhibition in thessaloniki, greece recently and sadly i missed it! What a lovely event, I wish I will catch it someplace else soon!
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You did!? So cool! Was it about Van Gogh too?
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That exhibit looks so cool! And it looks like such a great experience – I would love to go there!
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It is by far one of the greatest art experience I had!
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Yes, a sensory experience, for sure! I think getting to step inside Van Gogh’s The Starry Night was be far from mundane. Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you for stepping by 🙂
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I’m a big fan of Van Gogh’s work and right now I’m so jealous! I’d would have loved to attend such a great exhibition!
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Reading this post I immediately realized that I have been to Amsterdam several times and every time had an opportunity to visit the famous Van Gogh museum but did not eventually do that (the same story with Amsterdam Arena which is another place in Amsterdam I want to visit). However, I am pretty confident that during my next trip to Amsterdam I am definitely going to visit both places.
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I have never been an exhibition like that, but this sounds so cool and i am really going to try it out.
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Yes, I have been to the Klimt exhibition! We flew down for the day ❤️. I must check this one out as well, I spent many many hours at the van Gogh museum while pregnant with my sons. I lived in Paris for my entire pregnancy living in a studio in Montmartre. Best experience ever
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Van Gogh is such an interesting artist. It’s always great to learn more about the background of the artist when looking at their art.
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It sounds like an amazing experience. Love the photos!
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I love Van Gogh! This exhibit looks so amazing. I wish this was available to visit here.
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