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Toronto hosts ‘Gogh by Car’ world’s first drive-in immersive art exhibition

TORONTO, ON., May 14, 2020 — Toronto will host the world’s first immersive drive-in art exhibition when the ‘Gogh by Car’ edition of the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit premieres on June 18.

Originally scheduled to open in May at Lighthouse Immersive within the historic former Toronto Star printing press building, Immersive Van Gogh was recently rescheduled to open June 1. But to get things started during these uncertain times of COVIS-19, the organisers have now re-imagined the exhibit as ‘Gogh by Car’ which will take place for the first 11 days of the exhibition.

Ticket holders for the drive-thru exhibit which runs from June 18- June 25 will be able to drive their vehicles right into the industrial warehouse that houses the immersive gallery. As many as 14 vehicles per timeslot (and no, you can’t show up on a bicycle), will be permitted inside the 4,000 square-foot gallery. Once inside guests must park, turn off the engine, and watch the 35-minute show from within their vehicles. Organisers describe it as all-encompassing experience of art, light, sound, movement and imagination that evokes the highly emotional and chaotic inner consciousness of one of the greatest artists of all time.”

For patrons who have purchased tickets for the walk-thru experience, the drive-thru tickets will be available at no extra cost. The ticket covers a maximum of four people per vehicle. Ticket holders for the drive-thu experience will also be able to walk through the exhibit once it opens after June 25.

The enormous immersive Van Gogh experience running from July to September is spread out over five-storeys and 600,000 square-feet within the historic former Toronto Star printing press building, allows visitors to step right inside the master post-impressionist’s works.

Illuminating the mind of the genius artist, the larger-than-life projections feature some of Van Gogh’s masterpieces, from his sunny landscapes and night scenes, to his portraits and still life paintings. The installation includes the Mangeurs de pommes de terre (The Potato Eaters, 1885), the Nuit étoilée (Starry Night, 1889), Les Tournesols (Sunflowers, 1888), and La Chambre à coucher (The Bedroom, 1889). The massive scale allows guests to become immersed in the work of the tormented and famed artist.

Event organisers say Immersive Van Gogh allows visitors to “Experience the organic landscapes of Van Gogh’s imagination, and ride the rollercoaster of Van Gogh’s brilliance and madness. It is astonishing in scale, breathtakingly imaginative, and a completely new look at the Master’s work.”

Visit vangoghexhibit.ca for tickets and more details.