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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Sian Traynor

Van Gogh Alive Edinburgh: We visited the new interactive exhibit and got goosebumps

In recent weeks, work has been ongoing in Festival Square to put together the new 'Van Gogh - Alive' exhibition, opening on Thursday.

Renowned around the world, the immersive experience is designed to allow visitors to understand and enjoy the artist's work in a brand new way.

With many watching as the large building appeared in front of the Sheraton hotel, we headed down early to try the experience for ourselves, and to see if it's worth the money.

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Instantly upon entering the show, we were able to see the first stop on our wander around, a real life version of Van Gogh's bedroom painting.

A work that he recreated multiple times, it was incredible to feel as if we were standing inside the work of art, and were able to snap some pictures in his humble abode.

The start of the exhibit also offers some fascinating information on Van Gogh and the different stages of his life, before you are directed through to the main event.

Heading through into the darkened room, we were instantly captivated the second we turned the corner, with the exhibit like nothing we'd seen before.

With different screens on the walls and floor, the room plays a 45-minute show on the life and works of Vincent Van Gogh, stretching from his first early works to his final pieces.

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However, the display is more than just a timeline, with organisers able to draw in guests as if they are inside the head of Van Gogh, with quotes, music lighting and sound all perfectly timed.

The multi-sensory experience also allows you to gain a greater idea of how the world-renowned painter was feeling and thinking in each of his works, from his more muted early works to the bright and colourful ones he is known for today.

Managing to completely enthral us, the display most certainly gave us goosebumps.

We then took a quick stroll through the sunflower room, with its floor to ceiling mirrors beaming the flowers everywhere.

Finally before heading off, you are given the chance to see if you could be the next Van Gogh, with an interactive display running a tutorial on how to draw one of his works.

Leaving feeling amazed, we will definitely be back again before the experience reaches the end of its Edinburgh stay.

Running from March 17 until July 17, the exhibit has already welcomed over eight and a half million visitors in 75 cities around the world including its most recent sell-out runs in Greater Manchester, London and Birmingham.

Expected to be a high demand attraction, we couldn't recommend it more, and you can find how to book tickets here.

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