Visitors can now step into the swirling skies of The Starry Night, stroll through the streets of Arles, and stand beneath blooming almond trees—all without leaving Guangzhou. The "Impression Van Gogh: Immersive Digital Art Experience" opened at the Guangdong Museum on July 15.
The exhibition marks the museum's first large-scale immersive digital art show. It offers visitors in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area an interactive journey through the life and work of the Dutch Post-Impressionist master Vincent van Gogh.
Instead of displaying Van Gogh's original paintings, the exhibition recreates his artistic world through high-resolution digital projections, immersive soundscapes, and interactive visual storytelling. Iconic masterpieces, including The Potato Eaters, Sunflowers, The Starry Night, Irises, Almond Blossom, Starry Night Over the Rhône, and Wheatfield with Crows, are brought to life through dynamic images and immersive music.
Created by renowned Italian digital artist Massimiliano Siccardi and his team, the exhibition combines large-scale projection mapping with an original orchestral score composed by Luca Longobardi. Together, they trace Van Gogh's artistic evolution over the final decade of his life, from the dark earth tones of his Dutch period to the vibrant colors of Paris, the sunlit landscapes of Arles, the emotional intensity of Saint-Rémy, and the final works he completed in Auvers-sur-Oise.
The exhibition opens with a gallery that explores Van Gogh's personal story. Visitors trace the artist's journey from his early years, when he worked a series of different jobs before deciding at the age of 27 to become a painter, to a career marked by poverty, isolation and relentless experimentation. Although he sold only one painting during his lifetime, Van Gogh created more than 800 oil paintings, along with hundreds of drawings and letters that have since become central to modern art history.
The experience culminates in a 360-degree immersive projection hall, where animated brushstrokes and vibrant colors surround visitors. Cypress trees appear to sway skyward like black flames, wheat fields ripple in the wind, and stars drift across the night sky. Meanwhile, a symphonic soundtrack transitions from gentle melodies to dramatic crescendos, echoing the emotional rhythms of Van Gogh's life and work.
By using digital technology instead of transporting original artworks, the exhibition brings many of Van Gogh's masterpieces together in a single space. It offers visitors an accessible introduction to one of the world's most influential artists.
The exhibition continues the Guangdong Museum's commitment to showcasing international art through innovative formats. By using digital media to bridge geographical and cultural distances, it fosters broader public engagement with art from around the world.
Whether you're an art enthusiast, a photography lover, or simply seeking a unique cultural experience, this exhibition offers a rare opportunity to see, hear, and experience Van Gogh's extraordinary imagination in an entirely new way.
Exhibition Information
Exhibition: Impression Van Gogh: Immersive Digital Art Experience
Venue: Exhibition Hall 1, 3rd Floor, Guangdong Museum, Guangzhou
Dates: From July 15 to October 25, 2026
Reporter | Li Fangwang
Poster | Guangdong Museum
Photo | Li Fangwang
