Van Gogh Alive in Bangkok 2023 (part 1)

Van Gogh Alive is a travelling exhibition devoted to the famous Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh which opened in Bangkok on 31 March 2023. The exhibition runs until 31 July 2023.

The exhibition is in Iconsiam, a relatively new shopping mall on the other side of the river. I am at Sathorn Pier, waiting for the shuttle boat which will take me to the other side of the river. There is a poster for the exhibition in the waiting zone.

I have to go down the ramp to the shuttle boat which will take me to Iconsiam on the other side of the river.

 

I am on the shuttle boat. I am ready to go from Sathorn Pier to Iconsiam on the other side of the river.

 

The shuttle boat is crossing the river. 

I am on the way to Iconsiam.

 

I am inside Iconsiam. The area next to the movie theatre on floor six is used for the travelling exhibition devoted to the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh.

 

The sunflower is often associated with Van Gogh, because it was one of his favourite motives.

The exhibition is divided into four sections:

 

The first room offers a brief introduction to Vincent Van Gogh. 

 

The second room is used for the sound and light show which runs for ca. 40 minutes. Music and pictures are used to illustrate the life and work of the Dutch artist. 

 

The third room focuses on specific parts of his life and his production. This room includes a separate space where visitors can join a painting class and try to copy one of Vincent's paintings. There is also a cafe which is named after the artist.

 

The fourth room is a shop where you can buy merchandise which is more or less connected with the Dutch artist.

 

Vincent painted many portraits of himself, but there are very few photographs of him. This is a rare photo of the artist who was born in Zundert in the Netherlands in 1853. He died in Auvers-sur-Oise in France in 1890.

 

This is a reconstrction of Vincent's bedroom in the Yellow House in Arles in the south of France where he lived for a while.

 

This is a detail of his bedroom. Three jackets and a hat are hanging on hooks next to the bed. On the walls there are some paintings.

 

Two paintings on the wall above the bed. 

The reconstruction of his bedroom is based on information from Vincent himself. He made three versions of this motive.

The Cafe Terrace at Night

Painted in 1888

This is one of his most famous paintings.

The cafe in Arles in the south of France.

I was in Arles a few years ago (2002). The cafe is still there. It looks almost like the painting. In modern times, it has been named after the artist who painted it more than 100 years ago.

 

The Café Terrace at Night.

The original painting is at the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo in the Netherlands where I saw it a few years ago (2000).

 

 

Noon Rest From Work

Painted in 1889

 

Starry Night

Painted in 1889

 

Wheat Field With Crows

Painted in 1890

 

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From the first room you can enter the second room and watch the sound and light show which runs for ca. 40 minutes. 

 

You have to stand or sit on the floor. You are allowed to use a mobile phone to take pictures and video during the show. Many visitors did that. But I did not, because it is impossible to cover the whole thing. 

 

There are many different images all around you the whole time. Huge versions of Vincent's paintings and drawings. You have to be there in person to experience this show about Vincent's life and work.

 

*****

 

Go to the next installment:

Van Gogh Alive in Bangkok 2023 (part 2)

 

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