A TripAdvisor study by Private Tours England has ranked Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience as the second most disappointing tourist attraction in London. The exhibition, run by Fever Up, first opened in 2021 and recently closed in the capital, having moved to Belfast, Bristol, York and Leicester.
Visitors have criticised the show for its lacklustre presentation and high entry fee of £25 per person. One reviewer described the entrance as a 'strangely dark, cramped hallway' and noted that the main room featured only projected, computer-altered versions of Van Gogh's paintings, with a few deckchairs and a bench.
The exhibition includes two rooms: a gallery with printouts of Van Gogh's works and biographical blurbs, and a larger space with animated projections. Critics have argued that the experience adds nothing to the artist's legacy, with some visitors reporting nausea after viewing the undulating projections.
London offers free access to original Van Gogh paintings, including Sunflowers at the National Gallery and Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear at The Courtauld Gallery, making the immersive experience's shortcomings more apparent to art enthusiasts.
