If you have a free day before April 11th, 2021, use it to take a trip to the Salvador Dali Museum, in St. Pete, Florida before the Van Gogh Alive exhibit leaves. You won’t regret it.
Vincent van Gogh is my favorite artist. In addition to his beautiful art, the way he channels his feeling into his creative projects resonates with me. As someone who struggles with, and advocates for, mental health, his own struggles with mental illness hit close to home for me.
The Salvador Dali Museum in St. Pete is the first museum in North America to host Vincent van Gogh alive, and as soon as I heard it would be coming to my home state, I knew we had to go. What follows is the magic we experienced while there.
Salvador Dali Museum Exhibit
Salvador Dali, the Surrealist, is one of the most celebrated artists of all time. His permanent exhibit at the museum takes up half of the second floor. When we visited, we did not get an audio device or do a docent led tour. However, I would definitely do that next time we go, the audio devices are free, and the knowledge you gain about his larger works is well worth it.
The Salvador Dali Museum – First North American Museum to host Van Gogh Alive
Van Gogh Alive – one of the best experiences of my life. The exhibit was an incredible way to view his paintings. Upon arrival, you step foot into a maze. The only light in the room is shining from the projectors, beaming life size images of Van Gogh’s work onto every surface. The paintings were so large you could see each brush stroke. The entire presentation of images, starting at his birth, leading to his tragic death, is 45 minutes. Accompanied by classical music of his time, the images move and dance, creating more movement.
In addition to the paintings, a carefully curated collection of quotes is shown next to each painting. His words give an extra level of insight into his mind while you ponder his works projected at enormous scale.
I can’t change the fact that my paintings don’t sell. But the time will come when people will recognize that they are worth more than the value of the paints used in the picture.
Vincent van Gogh
Finally, the presentation ends with a violin crescendo followed by the sound of a single gun shot. Everyone in the room jumped at the sound, it was startling and heart wrenching. When Vincent was only 37 when he took his own life, and we are left wondering what could he have done had he chosen to stay.
The exhibit leaves you inspired, and in awe of a man who created so much beauty while experiencing inner torture. The Van Gogh Alive exhibit leaves the Dali Museum on April 11th, 2021. Get tickets here: https://thedali.org/visit/buy-tickets/
