"Van Gogh en vivo: La experiencia real", a multisensory and interactive exhibition dedicated to Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh, has opened at Plaza Las Américas in Puerto Rico. The show is produced by Josantonio Mellado Jr., president of Mellado Pro, together with Rolando Santa of RSB Entertainment and Rolando Santa Fonseca of Chad Events. Mellado said Puerto Rico needed an experience of this kind, especially when not everyone can travel to see Van Gogh’s work up close.
The exhibit marks the return of a Van Gogh experience to the island and adds interactive components beyond the visual projections of the previous show. Visitors are welcomed with an AI-generated video imagining how Van Gogh would have painted Puerto Rican scenes, set to the music of "Mi viejo San Juan". The tour includes a seven-minute film on the painter’s life, recreations of works such as "Los girasoles" and "La cosecha", a room with real hay inspired by "La siesta", an immersive "La noche estrellada" display, a room with more than 6,000 sunflowers, a recreation of "La habitación de Arlés", and an AI experience allowing visitors to converse with the artist.
It ends with a virtual reality experience and a gift shop. The visit typically takes 60 to 70 minutes. The producers plan to stay open through January, though that could change depending on turnout.
Tickets, sold on Buyatix and at the on-site box office, start at $14.99 for school groups and students, $16.50 for children and $19.99 (Monday to Thursday) or $24.99 (Friday to Sunday) for adults, plus the sales and use tax (IVU) and a service charge. Hours are 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Monday through Saturday and 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sundays.