Immersive exhibition by Van Gogh, "Drive-in" style

The organizers of the "Ingasmic Exhibition" for the work of the artist Van Gogh in Toronto created an idea to reconcile the artistic activities with the Corona pandemic, namely limiting the attendance of the visitors to the cars by using the "Drive in" method used in cinema, an idea adopted for the first time globally in the field of plastic exhibitions.

This exhibition was supposed to open in early May in the Canadian city, but the Covid-19 pandemic prompted organizers to postpone the appointment and search for alternatives to establish this artistic activity.

"Because of the pandemic, we had to think in a creative way," Curry Ross, one of the exhibition's organizers, told AFP.

"Van Gogh Immersive" exhibition was already launched this week at a time when the restrictions of domestic stone restrictions are gradually being lifted in Toronto, Canada's largest city.


The exhibition was divided into two halls, one of which is dedicated to those who prefer to see the exhibits on foot. The parking spaces are marked on the floor, in compliance with the principle of physical spacing, and the second is for cars.

"Viewing the displays from the car allows those who suffer from a fragile health and who are anxious to enjoy art while in safety. It is also a unique experience," Ross explained. "It feels like the car is floating between artwork," he added.

The exhibition was prepared in cooperation with the organizers of "Van Gogh, the Starry Night" that took place last year in Paris.

Cute experience ...

The Toronto Exhibition Idea is similar to the Parisian Exhibition in that it adopts digital technologies to display the works of the Dutch artist on an enlarged size on wide walls.

The car park accommodates about ten vehicles parked by owners at points designated by the organizers.

Engines should be turned off during the accompanying music. The displayed works have been reduced to enable "qualified" visitors to view them through the front windows of their cars.

For 35 minutes, the visitor indulges in Van Gogh's world, as he sits on the wheel of his car, carrying his mobile phone to take pictures or sitting his children on his lap.

Although Corey Ross is happy with the success of his idea, he only saw the phenomenon as circumstantial.

He said: "I think that we will return, once we have the opportunity, to live the artwork in the way we love, that is, in a collective framework in which we can talk to people and meet people we do not know."

Reservations for the Drive Inn lounge are almost complete until the end of the exhibition scheduled for August 9, while the pedestrian exhibition continues until the end of next September.