Experiencing Vincent Van Gogh

Through certain style, painting becomes a way of expressing ones feeling. Vincent Van Gogh once said "Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul." 

Now imagine, what if their soul's expression is extended. That's what exactly the aim of an exhibition titled Van Gogh Alive Jakarta.

I visited the exhibition on July 30, although the event is set to end on October 9 this year at Taman Anggrek shopping center, Jakarta. The capital becomes another city to host this exhibition which uses Sensory 4 technology.

An information panel stated that the technology promises us "a powerful and vibrant symphony of light, colour and sound". Through the technology, objects on the paintings are able to move. 

On The Starry Night, swirling clouds are moving. The move is slow enough for us to still enjoy the night scene from Vincent's asylum over the township of Saint-Rémy, France.

But before that, visitors can immerse themselves in some rooms where Vincent's paintings are transformed into numbers of art installations. Sunflowers and Bedroom In Arles are few of them.

In one particular room myriad number of plastic sunflowers are planted. There are mirrors on the wall which reflect the flowers to be seen as it is a garden.
Sunflowers' inspiration came from the gardens of Montmartre in Paris. "The sunflower is mine, in a way." Wrote Vincent to his brother.  

Another installation also lets visitor to get into Bedroom In Arles. Decorated in some 8 meter square area, the installation is originally inspired by the 72 cm x 90 cm painting.

A digital projection of Vincent's paintings become another highlight of the exhibition. As I entered the last exhibition room, japanese music was heard.

Inside, I can see a number of big screens. There are 37 screens that placed both vertically and horizontally which display projection of japanese style paintings—before showing Vincent's paintings. 

At the end of the 19th century some artists in Europe were inspired by the style. Van Gogh was among them.
The influence can be seen through Vincent's painting titled Almond Blossom. 

"There are hints of Japanese influence, suggesting that Vincent and Theo's collection of more than 400 Japanese wood block prints may have been a source of inspiration for this work." wrote exhibitor on one panel.

Out from Van Gogh Alive exhibition, I was also introduced to Theo Van Gogh—Vincent's little brother. Almond Blossom was made as Theo's wife gave birth to a boy named Vincent Willem van Gogh. This Vincent then handed all his uncle's collection to Netherland's government.

Theo himself, was Vincent's life supporter. He spared his earnings so that Vincent can still be able to draw. As a result, along Vincent's last 10 years of his life, the mentally ill painter has created 1.100 sketches and 930 paintings.

Aside from Theo, his wife Johanna Gezina Van Gogh-Bonger also took a distinctive role on making her brother in law's paintings become popular posthumously. Vincent died at the age of 37. 

On Van Gogh Alive Jakarta, his death was depicted by a painting titled Wheatfield with Crows. Sound of a gunshot was heard loudly at the end of video projection. Crows on the picture then seen flew immediately.

Wheatfield with Crows was painted on July 1890, week(s) before Vincent shot himself on July 27 in the same year and died three days after. Six month after that, Theo also passed away.

The tragic life of Vincent Van Gogh today meets its relevance. Mental health issue becomes mass concern. And this exhibition extends the experience of how art can be one's medium of expression. []