This October, Van Gogh Alive arrives at MediaCityUK. The jaw-dropping multi-sensory experience has captivated eight million people in 75 cities across the world and has proven to be just as exciting for children as their parents.
With 3,000 images from the artist digitally emblazoned onto supersized backdrops, and paintings ready for little ones to literally climb into, Van Gogh Alive is so much more than a visit to a gallery, or a ‘don’t touch’ museum trip. It’s immersive, interactive, and inspiring for all ages.
Here are five reasons why babies, toddlers, kids, and teens should be first in line when the 17,500sqft purpose-built venue lands at MediaCityUK’s Piazza on October 22nd.
It’s the world’s most visited multi-sensory experience
Eight million people have flocked to Van Gogh Alive, such is the scale and spectacle of the event. It’s a feast of sight, sound, and even scent. Set to an evocative score that will help younger visitors to understand the emotion and tone of each artwork as they explore the space, they’ll also enjoy the fragrance of Provence wafting through the air.
Visitors are encouraged to engage with the display, walking through starry nights and entering Van Gogh’s world. Even the most hard-to-please teenagers will find it difficult to feign disinterest in the larger-than-life imagery and a mirrored room filled to the brim with sunflowers – an unrivalled photo op.
It’s fun
No one will be shushed. No one will be told not to touch. No one will be bored. This is the kind of spectacular, awe-inspiring, magical, and unforgettable good fun that parents desperately search for. There are even opportunities to recreate some of Van Gogh’s most famous works, placing visitors front and centre. Leave the grey skies outside and step into a world of kaleidoscopic colour and 360-degree delight.
It’s educational
Whether the idea of learning excites your kids or not, they will learn and they will love it. Van Gogh is one of the world’s most important artists of all time, and throughout this experience, young visitors will discover his work, his life, his descent into madness, and his legacy. It’s the best art, history, and geography lesson they could ever hope for.
It’s interactive
Not only will you be able to step straight into Van Gogh’s world and his work, kids and adults alike can try their hands at using his techniques and learning his craft. With three graded tutorials on offer, novices and skilled artists can hone their skills side by side in the Art Activity Area. This part of the experience is particularly popular with families and gives kids the chance to act on their new-found inspiration while it’s still fresh in their minds.
Climb into a painting
A life-sized recreation of ‘Van Gogh’s Bedroom’ – one of his most famous pieces – truly brings art to life. Families can sit on Van Gogh’s bed, his chair, use his mirror, and pose for a photo in one of the most recognisable bedrooms in history. Where else does a painting spring out into life sized, touchable, three-dimensional reality? It’s another layer of magic that the whole family will love.
Tickets for Van Gogh Alive are priced from £22.00 for adults and £15.00 for children, with concessions and school group discounts available. Visitors can opt to support The Christie charity when booking or visiting. Event organisers are hoping to raise vital funds for the charity, to continue its incredible work leading the way for cancer care, research, and education.
Controlled visitor capacities and managed visitor flow mean visitors can easily respect any Covid-19 guidelines and enjoy the experience safely.
Tickets are available at quaytickets.com/vangoghalivemediacity
