Van Gogh’s Swirls: At the Bhartiya mall in Bengaluru, India, in a place you’d least expect to see the artworks of world-renowned artist Vincent Van Gogh brought to life; is the Van Gogh Immersive Experience.
A series of rooms feature wall-length screens covering the floors, walls and ceilings. Some of India’s highest power projectors are used to cover every surface with Van Gogh’s work.
Curated from 70 of Van Gogh’s most well-known masterpieces, including but not limited to Starry Night, Sunflowers, Wheatfield with Crows, and more, the exhibition offers an experience tailored to art and history enthusiasts.
The experience is spread across four zones: The Education room, The Immersive Room, The Infinity Room and finally, the Merchandise Room.
Van Gogh’s Swirls in Bengaluru
In the Education Room, visitors are given insights into the life and history of the artist, a perfect introduction and segue into the rest of the exhibition. The Infinity Room features large expanses; tailor made for exploring and getting lost in the world of Van Gogh. The Immersive Room is the crown jewel of the whole experience. This spectacle features comfy seating arrangements; visitors can sit and enjoy the flashing scenes and animated paintings of Van Gogh. Finally, the Merchandise Room offers themed souvenirs and trinkets, perfect as gifts or tokens to remember the experience by.
Some lesser-known attractions include the in-house café, featuring Van Gogh themed desserts and snacks, picturesque and tasty! Original, themed music made specially by the Dutch duo Alec Todd and techno-producer Mitch de Klein plays throughout the exhibit. Their music heightens the experience, blending neo-classical and electronic music, appealing to both the younger demographic as well as those who prefer a melancholic, dreamy experience.
Despite the amazing experience, a few grievances remain. Visitors mainly complain about the overbearing presence of teens and young adults, filming themselves and taking pictures so they can post them online. Many hardcore fans of Van Gogh claim this ruins the immersion of the exhibit, making it just another social media destination.
Visitors occasionally object about the visibility of projecting devices as people can clearly see them, tamping down the immersive aspect of the show. Although the music is phenomenal, the soundscape leaves some things to be desired. The quality of the speakers used has been described as mediocre, compared to other immersive art experiences around the world.
In spite of these hurdles, the Van Gogh Immersive Experience has earned its spot in the top art experiences globally. In fact, since its inception in 2024, the Bengaluru exhibition has won 13 awards, a record for immersive exhibitions in India. Resonating with both seasoned art enthusiasts and newcomers alike, the experience becomes not just a display, but a deeply personal journey through color, sound, and emotion.