Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience (Now until August 15)

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience opened yesterday in Honolulu at the Hawai’i Convention Center for a limited engagement. I didn't know what to expect, but the summary on the website describes the exhibit quite accurately: 

"In an imaginative and immersive presentation crafted for our unique times by world renowned audiovisual designers, Beyond Van Gogh uses cutting-edge projection technology to create an engaging journey into the world of Van Gogh. Using his dreams, his thoughts, and his words to drive the experience as a narrative, we move along projection swathed walls wrapped in light, colour, and shapes that swirl, dance and refocus into flowers, cafes and landscapes. Masterpieces, now freed from frames, come alive, appear and disappear, flow across multi-surfaces, the minutia of details titillating our heightened senses. Through his own words set to a symphonic score, we may come to a new appreciation of this tortured artist’s stunning work."

There are three rooms making up the exhibit. The first is an education room, the second room a sort of a light show that prepares the viewer for what's to come, and the third room - what we've all been waiting for - the immersion room. The entire experience takes about an hour with the last room's video lasting about 35 minutes before it loops again. 

In the education room, you'll learn about Van Gogh's life through a display of biographical information on the walls. Interspersed between his life's timeline are notable quotes taken from his letters to his brother.  

The second room is more of a transition room. The digital paint dancing is mesmerizing and if you stay until the end, you will see it transform into an image of Van Gogh.  

The immersion room is a 35 minute show that immerses the viewer with over 300 iconic artworks including Van Gogh's classics: "The Starry Night", "Sunflowers", and "Cafe Terrace at Night". The art comes to life on the walls. It flows all around you. If you can, grab a secluded place in the room and sit on the floor to watch it unfold around you.

On your way out is a small gift shop where you can pick up merchandise with Van Gogh's iconic masterpieces.  

Tickets can be purchased online here and are sold in 15 minute increments. There is special pricing for off peak (Monday thru Thursday) and peak (Friday thru Sunday, holidays) times as well as student, senior, military, and group discounts. Children 4 and under do not require a ticket. Premium tickets and VIP packages are also available.  

Thank you to Honolulu Magazine for hosting my admission.

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Sunday-Thursday 10am -10pm
Friday-Saturday 10am-11pm
Hawai'i Convention Center: Kamehmeha Exhibit Hall III

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The Amazing Hawaii Comic Con

Disclosure: Complimentary VIP passes were provided for review purposes.

I had the privilege of attending The Amazing Hawaii Comic Con Special Edition this past weekend. It was my first time ever to a comic con event, and I brought one of my sons along to share in the experience. We decided to come on the second day to check out the Kids' Day festivities.

The comic con didn't open until 10 am, but at 9:30 am, there was already a crowd forming of eager comic con attendees.  

There were a lot of nice comic books available for sale outside of the entrance.

 As VIPs, we were able to enter the comic con half an hour before the general public.  I highly recommend attending these events as a VIP so that you can get in early and scope everything out before everyone else gets in.

The first thing we did was head to row that the Hawaiian Comic Book Alliance members were in. We got our hands on their coloring book and had a lot of fun going down the row to get each artist's autograph.

Mat Nastos, a Disney artist, was one of the featured artists giving out free sketches to the kids. As soon as the convention opened, a line to get one of his autographs quickly formed.

There were a lot of vendors selling all kinds of comic and sci-fi paraphernalia - comic books (of course), stickers, lanyards, stuffed animals, jewelry, t-shirts, figurines, toys, books, etc.  

Fun Factory had a few video games on-site!

And there were a lot photo ops with people in costumes!

Towards the rear of the room, there was a small theater for film screenings.

And a nice area for refreshments for purchase.

If you ever decide to attend future Amazing Comic Con events, I highly recommend that you purchase one of the VIP packages. You will not only receive a special gift bag filled with specialty comics, but you get to pick up your tickets in the express VIP registration line and you get to get in half an hour earlier before the general public.

The Amazing Comic Con is one of the smaller comic conventions, making it a great event for those with smaller kids or first-timers who are new to comic con. I hope to attend The Amazing Comic Con the next time they come to Honolulu!

The Amazing Comic Con
Website: http://www.amazinghawaiicomiccon.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmazingComicCon

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