Imagine Van Gogh is a projection-based exhibition that showcases the work of Van Gogh on giant screens through close-ups, animated transitions, and reveals timed with classical scores. This limited run exhibition has been popping up in cities across Canada this year with this latest installation of Imagine Van Gogh currently open in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
If you're an art lover, enjoy gallery visits in general, or are just looking for something new to do, Imagine Van Gogh is easily justifiable as a worthwhile outing. The projections and music are powerful, the exhibition is unique, and it truly is a different way of admiring pieces that even the most casual Van Gogh fan will recognize.
My only real criticism of Imagine Van Gogh is the cost.
Keeping in mind that ticket prices likely vary by location, the cost in Saskatoon for a timed weekday ticket was $41, the weekend ticket was $51, and a flex ticket (untimed) was $61. With the projections on a 30 minute loop, the vast majority of people will be stretching to spend a full hour to feel like they've got their money's worth.
For comparison, the nearby Remai Modern costs less than a third the price and offers enough exhibits to fill an entire morning. I also spent twice as much on a ticket to Imagine Van Gogh as it cost to see 20 of Van Gogh's paintings in person at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris last year. So, in short, yes it's a neat exhibition worth seeing, but you also won't be alone if you want to grumble about how overpriced it was in the gift shop afterwards.
