Arnab D.

I've seen a much smaller version of it and yet enjoyed it more than the currently playing Immersive experience. It might be a good experience for those watching it for the first time, I'm not sure, but after already connecting with the "Van Gogh Alive" , I was disappointed with this show. There weren't many quotes or a flow in the show, the space itself was not optimal for an exhibit of this artistic intensity. Overall a disappointing experience.

Michelle D.

When my friend suggested we check out the van Gogh Exhibit and I went to Yelp to see the reviews, I immediately clicked away because I saw some 1-3 star reviews and did not want to pre-judge what the experience was going to be like before I went. My friend and I came around 4:30pm on a weekday and the check in process was seamless. You scan a barcode and fill out a COVID-19 symptom questionnaire. When you walk in, another worker scans the QR code on your ticket. Then you wait in line. Washrooms were on the left hand side to the entrance. When we waited in line, a member of the exhibit ran through some of the considerations for enjoying the exhibit (e.g. circles on the floor to promote physical distancing but you can walk around and to different circles, pictures are encouraged but no flash). There were some screens that had facts or snippets about Vincent's life. Then we walked in! I was expecting something like the AGO like his paintings projected onto a screen and you could walk around and appreciate his art. However it was a 35 minute video that was put together that included his artwork with 2D animations and music. I found it was really amazing that the team behind this exhibit brought his paintings to life in such an interactive way using technology. My friend and I watched two cycles of the show with different perspectives. We were also told we could stay for as long as we'd like but we felt watching it a twice was enough and to give room for others coming in. Just a note is that the video start times do not coincide with the times on the tickets which is a bit strange. Thankfully when we walked in, one cycle of the show was just starting. It states on the ticket that you should check in 20 minutes before or after the time on your ticket and my friend and I got there late 10 minutes (oh TTC reroutes!!!) and it was not a problem. After the exhibit, there was a little store with a ton of van Gogh merchandise. I ended up getting two enamel pins which were $15.99 each and so cute! I also got 3 post cards but they were $5-6 each!! I was surprised. Price wise, I felt that it was expensive but overall I enjoyed the experience and felt it was grounding. It was easy to be present in the moment. I also really enjoyed the music they played. I found out that the album called "Vincent" (fitting title) is on Spotify by artist Luca Longobardi.

Mary T.

My review is for the Gogh by car version of the immersive Van Gogh exhibit. I bought a ticket to do the immersive Van Gogh exhibit by car. It also includes returning for in-person admission to the exhibit when it reopens in late July. I was telling my friend that this Gogh by car experience is as close to doing a drive-in movie for me. I have yet to do one in my life, but want to knock that off my list this summer. For now, saying that I've seen art in my car is a first that I wanted to experience. After purchasing my ticket online, I got decent instructions on how to get here and which parking lot to enter. It's best to drive south along Freeland Street. There were a bunch of cars already there. I spoke to a helpful staff member who explained where to line up and that another staff member would check me in. Sure enough, another staff member approached my car safely on the passenger side. He asked for my first and last names. It felt like he was taking attendance and I didn't need to pull out my virtual ticket on my phone. He found my name on the list and said that we'd be waved into the exhibit soon. Staff carefully orchestrated everyone entering the exhibit. Depending on the size of your car, they are keeping that into consideration so that every vehicle fits nicely and everyone can see. You first enter and go up a ramp slowly. There is a staff member at each point on this course to get into the exhibit. I was fortunate to simply pull into a spot next to two cars that were the same size as mine. You tune into 88.3 FM to hear details about the Van Gogh exhibit that's narrated by Colm Feore, a celebrated Canadian actor. It was so calming and a nice way to get settled. I was under the impression that you needed to be tuned into the radio for the entire Van Gogh exhibit. It's actually better if you roll down your windows, put your mask on (it's required if your windows aren't up), and get the full sound experience with all the speakers in the area. We all did that. I made friends with the family to my right. It was\s nice going through a first-time experience with a family that was just as enthusiastic about the whole thing as I was. It has been over a year since I stepped into an art gallery or museum. I craved it and got my fix here. The transition from one painting to another projected on the screen was stunning. I loved the music that accompanied each segment of this animation. I was also proud of myself for recognizing some of Van Gogh's works of art. I felt so rusty, but everything came back to me. I got into loving the post-impressionism style of art when I first visited a Gauguin exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal) years ago. I then attended a Van Gogh exhibition somewhere else after that and loved it. I just had to visit this one in my hometown. I felt safe driving in and carefully driving out with staff guidance. I waved to each staff member on my way out because they were super helpful and great. They deserved a huge thanks! The only downside is that you can't hit the gift shop afterwards. I guess that's great that you save some money and don't get tempted. I'm so used to perusing the gift store that it felt odd not doing that here. I am looking forward to doing the in-person tour when it's safe to do it. I hope that the gift shop will be available then. I'll save up for now. (271)

Hazel P.

Hubby & I did the walk-through version of the exhibit. I actually really enjoyed it & wanted to stay longer. But I also didn't want to be a hog. When we entered we'd missed the beginning so we stayed until we watched a complete cycle of the exhibit. The tickets for the exhibit are expensive, as others have mentioned. But if you think about all the projectors used to display the art, the lights, the sound system, the computers used to co-ordinate everything, I can understand the expense. It's not something to be done regularly, like a visit to the ROM or to the AGO. It's more of a one time thing. After the exhibit I went to the gift shop while hubby wandered around. We took some pictures in front of walls printed with Van Gogh's most famous paintings. I bought a wallet & a gift for a friend at the gift shop. It was a little pricey, but that's normal for a gift shop. Hubby wanted to get a water at the cafe, but they don't accept cash & he didn't want to charge such a small amount on his card. The washrooms are off to the left of the entrance to the exhibit. They were empty when I came in & they were clean as well. I think they could've done the show in a better location. Some of the views of the art were obstructed because of the columns & the higher viewing platform right in the middle of the room. Some really neat parts to the exhibit. The cute signs like the one for the washroom said: Gotta Gogh? With an arrow. I also enjoyed when the sun rose on one wall, traveled around the room to set on another wall. Some symbolism in the order of the paintings too. Towards the end you see a self-portrait of Van Gogh wearing a hat with four candles on it. One by one, the candles blow out, symbolizing the end of his life. That part really struck me. It was sad how he wasn't appreciated during his time & he died poor. Van Gogh had mental health issues. He was delusional & hallucinated. I wondered, if he'd had adequate support, and a regular patron who appreciated his art, might he have lived longer? Created more amazing art? Pros: -Interesting how they animated Van Gogh's art. A lot of symbolism there & there's a story to the progression of one artwork to the next -Timed entry -I enjoyed the music & the lights -I could appreciate the cost of the ticket because of all the projectors used, the sound, the lighting -Gift shop & cafe outside the exhibit -Local artist displaying some of his work outside the exhibit Cons: -No seating unless you ask for some -The columns in the room can get in the way of a good line of sight -Expensive ticket price -People can stay as long as they want it seems that is a pro too. But then it can get more crowded -No cash accepted for gift shop & cafe -Timed entry doesn't coincide with when the exhibit starts.

Wynne L.

3.5 stars Tickets on the website range in price from $40-100. Under the most expensive ticket the benefits are: priority access, limited edition poster, VIP souvenir laminate, VanGogh cushion, complimentary drink and flexibility to change the date & time of your booking and flexibility to arrive +/- 2hrs of your time. There are spacing markers on the ground when lining up starting outdoors and it continues indoors. When your ticket is scanned you're given a $5 coupon (per group) to use at the gift shop. Inside the tunnel prior to entering the exhibit a staff will outline rules for you to follow as well as give you time to read the info on the tv screens. Circles are projected onto the floor to ensure that each group of people are physically distanced while enjoying the exhibit. I saw a few circles that had benches in them but not many. In my opinion, it's best not to choose a circle that's too close to the wall as you won't be able to properly see and appreciate the paintings projected onto the walls. There's an elevated viewing platform you can enjoy for several minutes at a time for a different experience. The program/paintings are continuously run on a loop so the staff recommends that you stay even as credits roll since you can enter at any time. It was neat to see the paintings come to life with music in the background. I found the exhibit to be on the expensive end as pretty much everything takes place in one large room and relatively speaking you're not spending much time there. The gift shop is in the lobby and has items for sale like facial masks, pins, cellphone cases, baby onesies, collapsible dog bowls and vases and wine plates. Also in the lobby is a photo booth like area. You scan a QR code with your cellphone and choose one of the cutouts to have your photo taken and integrated into the photo. The photo is then emailed to you.

Cher A.

We visited this exhibit a few weeks ago and had a really good time. The lights were incredible and it was great to watch Van Gogh's painting come to life. We went an hour before sunset so we could walk along the harbourfront as well. It was truly the perfect day out. I highly recommend it. We also bought a Van Gogh puzzle and it was really fun to put together

Lina D.

I've been here for all three exhibits: Van Gogh, Klimt and Frida Kahlo. My favourite was the Van Gogh exhibit as there were more features of his artwork versus the other two exhibits that felt a bit short. It's pretty much a projection of art in motion in a very large room. Fortunately we purchased the tickets on a discount for 50% off during Boxing Day or Christmas. I do not think it is worth the full price admission, 50% maybe, free would be better for what it is. The admission costs pretty much covers the rental space and staff patrolling the venue. I really wish they had made this more interactive and more worthwhile for me to come down from East Markham in traffic.

Vikky L.

A very beautiful Van Gogh exhibit, but not worth $40 for a 35 minute experience in a single large room. After being at the interactive and creative teamLabs Borderless in Tokyo, this single exhibit really pales in comparison. The space is otherwise very clean, people were all socially-distanced and wearing masks, and hand hygiene stations available throughout. Van "Go" if you're a huge Vincent fan, Van "No" if you wanna save some dough.