You cannot escape the spectacle of Van Gogh in New York right now.
Indeed, if you’ve been out walking around Chinatown or the Lower East Side recently, you may have noticed big stickers on the sidewalk directing you to “Gogh This Way.” They are aiming wanderers towards Pier 36, where the Post-Impressionist-themed light show known as “Immersive Van Gogh” is currently drawing in the crowds.
But if the company behind “Immersive Van Gogh” is particularly keen to direct traffic, something more than mere good wayfinding may be at work. It is, after all, competing with another Van Gogh-themed event, the very similarly named “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience,” now welcoming visitors at the Skylight on Vesey, just across from the Irish Hunger Memorial in Lower Manhattan.
Marker directing people to “Immersive Van Gogh” in Chinatown. Photo by Ben Davis.
There’s something comical about the two events dueling it out for the post-quarantine immersive experience dollar (in fact, across the country, no less than five different companies are competing in the Van Gogh room market). But is one as good as the next?
Judge for yourself! In the spirit of giving a sense of what each feels like, we’ve rounded up photos of both. As they say: Know before you Gogh.
“Immersive Van Gogh” at Pier 36
“Immersive Van Gogh” on Pier 36. Photo by Ben Davis.
An enormous Van Gogh self-portrait greets visitors to “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
A worker polishes one of the large mirrored sculptures in “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
The Potato Eaters, animated, within “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
inside “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
inside “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
A credit for Lighthouse Immersive, the company behind “Immersive Van Gogh,” within the experience. Photo by Ben Davis.
A selection of Vincent van Gogh lollipops from the cafe in “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Trying out the augmented reality feature of “Immersive Van Gogh.” Photo by Ben Davis.
A display in the “Immersive Van Gogh” gift shop. Photo by Ben Davis.
A message from Emily in Paris star Lily Collins greets visitors in the “Immersive Van Gogh” gift shop. Photo by Ben Davis.
“Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” at Skylight on Vesey
Outside of “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Stairway leading to “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Display in the ticket hall of “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
A giant sculpture of Van Gogh’s head greets guests to “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
A giant sculptural vase with Van Gogh images projected on it at “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
A 3D, disassembled version of a Van Gogh’s Courtesan: after Eisen at “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
A 3D recreation of Bedroom in Arles at “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
One of the animated transitions in “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
One of the animated transitions in “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Cafe Terrace at Night, animated, inside “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Inside “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
The Paint With Vincent room at “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Visitors enjoy the virtual reality component of “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Display of replica Van Gogh self-portraits at “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
The gift shop at “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.
Canvasses for sale in the gift shop of “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” Photo by Ben Davis.