Vincent Van Gogh has always been my favorite artist. Always. So, as I have wandered the world, my steps have often taken me along his paths. Those paths include New York City, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Arles and now Columbus.
New York City - My favorite painting by Vincent is Starry Night. So, whenever I'm in New York City, I like to take a trip to the Museum of Modern Art. When you wander through the MOMA, you'll pass by the works of Chagall, Picasso, Monet, Warhol, Lichtenstein and so much more. But, if you are like me, the painting that you really come to the museum is by Van Gogh. It's on the fifth floor. If you don't know that in advance, there are a lot of floors to explore before you find what you really came there to see.
Paint your palette blue and grayI've been to lots of famous art museums and seen a lot of known works. If you go to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, plan to share the experience with hundreds of people, all of them wanting selfies, in front of the masterpiece and the sign that clearly says "no photography". I've never seen crowds in front of any other work like there are around Lisa. And, I really don't get it. That portrait has never done much for me. I felt that way when I first saw her in first grade, and I've never changed my mind.
Most likely, you'll have to share your experience with Starry Night when you wander the MOMA. But, there are moments when you get to get up close and marvel at Van Gogh's brush strokes. Now, if you know anything about my art, you know that I'm very precise in what I do. I can't help myself. It's just the way I am. So, when I closely examined Starry Night, my biggest shock was that Vincent didn't necessarily paint all the way to the edge of the canvas. For me, that's a little inconceivable. But, he was the master - and a little on the crazy side of life - so I guess I just have to live with it.
Amsterdam - When I lived in Europe, Amsterdam was a day trip from my home in Belgium. It was a long day trip; it was much better to go there for the weekend. One of my trips to Amsterdam was to see the biggest art exhibition in Europe that year - the Van Gogh / Gauguin show at the Van Gogh Museum. The museum is always a must-see for anyone visiting the city, but in this exhibit, they showed works the works of Van Gogh and Gauguin next to each other of some of the same subjects. It was a unique opportunity.
Alas, some photos you aren't allowed to take.If you know any of Van Gogh's paintings, there is a good chance that you have seen his Bedroom in Arles. In this Amsterdam show, the dimensions of the bedroom were created with wooden beams. They were kind of an outline of the room with furniture placed inside. It wasn't a big room at all. I don't know if the room was shared with Gauguin when he came to visit Van Gogh in Arles. I'd heard Van Gogh was a little crazy and cut off part of his ear. I didn't know it was over an argument with Gauguin. Gauguin came to live with Van Gogh for three or four months. It was a stormy time and they rarely saw eye to eye on anything. Any way, Gauguin left in a huff and I think that was when Van Gogh cut off part of his ear. Strange friendship, eh? I'm not sure where Gauguin's wife and five kids were during that period. space
Happy New Ear!Antwerp- I speak English properly. If you have any doubts, just ask me. And, in Ohio, everyone - EVERYONE - pronounces the artist's last name as "Van Go". It is, after all, the correct way to say it. However, in Antwerp, where Van Gogh once lived, the don't pronounce it correctly. It's something like "Van COUGH". I could never say it the way the Dutch speakers do. It sounds something like a cough and you have to have the proper amount of phlegm in your throat to spit it out like they do. Nobody ever successfully convinced me that I haven't been saying it correctly all my life.
While living in Antwerp, I painted a set of Christmas ornaments in honor of my favorite artist. Each of the crocodile eggs I painted depicted one of Van Gogh's paintings. However, I added a touch of Christmas to each masterpiece. So, when you look at Starry Night, you'll see Santa on his sleigh, flying across the sky. The painting of his Sunflowers has milk and cookies waiting for Santa. However, I think my favorite one is the self-portrait with his bandaged ear - or bandaged missing ear. On that one I painted, "Happy New Ear!"
Follow the yellow brick road!Arles - I lack the necessary gene to learn foreign languages well. It is the sad truth. At least that is what I tell myself to ease the embarrassment. I have studied German, French, Spanish, Arabic, Tagalog and Dutch for various lengths of time. I'm terrible at all of them. Just pathetic! But, a little of what my high school teacher tried to pound into my head came back while I was in Provence on a mural project. Still, the reality of my pathetic French was made crystal clear when I decided to take a day trip by myself to Arles, on a pilgrimage to Van Gogh. My host's seven-year-old son asked, "How does he expect to go there by himself?
Fortunately, I made quick train connections in Marseilles and soon found my way to Arles. Depending on your interests in the city, there are several well-marked paths to follow. I followed the yellow brick pathway with a silhouette of Van Gogh. We all know the yellow brick road is in Oz, and it's suggested that L. Frank Baum was inspired by real yellow bricks in Peekskill, New York. But, this was the first time I ever really followed a yellow path.
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Coffee at THE café In Arles there are about ten Van Gogh destinations. I was able to locate eight of them. Okay, the yellow markers weren't as clear as I would have liked in a few places, and all munchkins in the area only spoke French. If I asked for help (which I didn't) they probably would have scowled at yet another tourist and said, "Follow the yellow brick road!" So, I was pleased with the success I had. I know quite a few of Van Gogh's paintings, but I only recognized two of the destinations. The famous yellow house where the artist stayed in Arles, as well as that bedroom scene, was destroyed in World War II. The house was very close to the train station and its marker was the first one I located. All Van Gogh locations in Arles have markers with the paintings inspired by the scene and some information - sadly, only in French.
I planned my route saving the best destination for last. The actual night café, that I have known and loved for years, was located at a small plaza area right in the center of Arles. I had to eat at that café (and take, oh, so many photos!) I saved it for my last destination and determined in advance that I would pay any price to eat there. Well, I learned something about France in the process. Cafés served lunch from noon until 1:30 in the afternoon. After that, you can only get drinks. So, I had a coffee at the café - and still took lots of photos. Mais oui, I definitely saved the best till last.
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Columbus - I personally never expected to add Columbus, Ohio, to this list. I heard on the news that the Imersive Van Gogh Exhibit would come to Columbus. I just never expected it to be around the corner from my home. Yep, I didn't have to wander the world. This exhibition was within walking distance from my home, and so I walked to it. And, it was a lovely day for a stroll. The sky was a beautiful Van Gogh blue and most of the trees along the way had turned golden yellow. And if that wasn't enough, I spied some yellow daisies along the way. Okay, they weren't sunflowers like Van Gogh painted, but it was close enough.
I didn't know what to expect upon arrival. I asked a couple leaving as I entered if it was magnificent. The woman replied, "I cried." I took it as a good sign.
The room where it happened. The room where it happened. The exhibit is in a huge rectangular room. The light show cast Van Gogh's works on all four walls as well as the floor. The lucky few found benches to watch the thirty minute show. Others stood. Still, other spectators sat on the floor. Perhaps the best way to take it in was to lie on the floor. However you viewed it, it was a wonderful experience of color and music.
The art presentation was way more than just a slide show or a good PowerPoint. Sometimes the art gradually faded from one piece to another. Once, giant hands swiped along the wall. As they moved, a new image followed along at the fingertips. The famous bedroom scene gradually appeared on a black wall. First, white outlines showed the bed and furniture. Then, the colors were added.
Perhaps my favorite effect was with Van Gogh's Irises. As the screen moved from bottom to top of the wall, it gradually became clear that the images were the roots of the irises. That really wasn't evident until the leaves came into view. But, there were no irises with those leave. Be patient. The flowers bloomed and gradually filled the entire walls with an eruption of giant purple flowers.
The thirty minutes went by too fast. But, guests were allowed to stay as long as they wanted. I had a bench for one session, moved around the room during the second session, and moved around one central pillar for most of the third session.
It was a well-spent afternoon with my favorite artist. I'm still in a little shock that he came to visit me in my neighborhood. I'm not sure where in the world I'll be able to visit with him next. Surprise me, Vincent.
