Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience has been ranked as London's second most underwhelming attraction, according to a Private Tours England analysis of TripAdvisor reviews. The exhibition, which charges £25 for entry, has drawn criticism for failing to deliver an immersive experience worthy of its price tag.
Upon arrival at the Shoreditch venue, visitors are greeted by a dimly lit, narrow corridor and a ticket check from a chair—an entrance described as lacklustre. The exhibition comprises two main rooms: a traditional gallery with printed reproductions of Van Gogh's works and a large, near-empty hall where digital projections of his paintings are displayed on the walls.
Critics have noted that the projections, featuring swirling patterns and fluttering petals, can induce nausea and headaches after prolonged viewing. One visitor reported feeling "short-changed" and "melancholic" after leaving the exhibition just 30 minutes after entering.
The experience has been compared unfavourably to viewing original Van Gogh paintings at London institutions such as the National Gallery, which houses Sunflowers, and The Courtauld, home to Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear. The exhibition closed in London last autumn and has since moved to Belfast, Bristol, York, and Leicester.
