If you like art, and particularly the works of Vincent Van Gogh, then you still have time to head to the immersive exhibition at FIRA Alicante, right next to the airport. It’s on until 15 September and, although you can buy tickets online, when we went there was no need to. We thought it was great value for €13, although at the weekend it will cost you €15.
It’s easy to park at FIRA. There is an awful lot of parking space so I can’t imagine that you would ever have a problem. It’s also easy to get to on public transport from the bus station in Alicante. That means there really is no excuse for missing out!
The exhibition is divided into five parts. As you go in there is a very informative timeline of the artist’s life in both Spanish and English. In the same room are highlights of his works.
The next part is perhaps the saddest part of all. It illustrates the fact that he only sold one painting in his lifetime compared the vast amounts of money spent on his works today. A single gold bar sits below the picture of the Red Vineyard at Arles. This stands in stark contrast to the mountain of bullion underneath the Portrait of Dr Gachet.
Next comes a rather weird walk through a sunflower field illuminated by the projection of his famous Starry Night painting. It does feel fully immersive and is a good taste of what is to come.
The best part for most people will be the immersion room where you sit on a chair, or lay on a beanbag if you think you can get back up! Immerse yourself in the projected works of Van Gogh as they appear on every surface around you. I guess they don’t project onto the ceiling to stop you from falling over! Music plays as the images change. There’s even a short commentary telling the life of the artist and reading out some of his letters to his brother. This is in Spanish but the words are in English on the central column. We spent about 40 minutes chilling in there and we think we saw the entire collection but we are far from certain!
Once you’ve chilled out enough or you think you’ve seen it all, step into the “Thank You” room where one final optical treat awaits. The fluorescent image of Vincent Van Gogh will be burned onto your retina for a short while!!!!!
Have you been to the exhibition? Let us know what you thought in the comments below. We loved it and we are sure you will do so too.
