INDIANAPOLIS — If you’re looking for a full sensory artistic experience, the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields is offering just that, with a new multi-sensory exhibit focused on the works of Vincent van Gogh.
The art museum, just a short 30-minute drive from Greenfield, has partnered with an Australian production company to create a whole new interactive experience called THE LUME.
Created by Australian-based Grande Experiences, THE LUME will be the largest continuous exhibition space in Newfields’ 138-year history.
The exhibit takes up the entire fourth floor of the museum — 30,000 square feet of space — where flowing images inspired by van Gogh’s works are splashed across every inch of the walls and floor, thanks to 150 digital projectors.
The exhibit also features a van Gogh original painting, Landscape at Saint-Rémy (Enclosed Field with Peasant), part of the IMA’s permanent collection.
THE LUME is touted as a multi-sensory experience of “immersive digital art,” complete with music, fragrance and culinary creations at the exhibit’s café.
“We are terribly excited about this, presenting what we consider to be an evolution of art,” said Jonathan Berger, the museum’s Deputy Director for Marketing and External Affairs. “In the past (photographs) weren’t even welcome in art museums, but we’re all different consumers today. We want to engage with art differently, and that translates into the art world.”
THE LUME is the first interactive art exhibit of its kind, Berger said, which will hopefully draw scores of art lovers to the Indianapolis museum.
“If we get two or three people to do a deeper dive into the life of van Gogh or any other artist we might feature, then I think that we’ve made good on our promise as an artistic institution,” he said.
The van Gogh Experience is only the first exhibit to be hosted at THE LUME at Newfields. The museum plans to feature different artists — of both worldwide and more local prominence — in the years to come.
The van Gogh exhibit was unveiled to the public in late July. The cost is $25 per person, in addition to regular admission to the museum.
While the content at THE LUME will rotate annually, the technology and infrastructure for the digital galleries is now a permanent fixture at the museum.
“We’re excited to engage new visitors and art lovers alike with this immersive, high-tech way of experiencing works of art,” Darrianne Christian, Chairwoman of the Newfields Board of Trustees, said. “Moving forward, we’re laser-focused on showcasing contemporary, local, and diverse artists and creating programming that truly reflects our community and engages all audiences.”
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WHAT: THE LUME
WHERE: Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis
COST: $25 per person, in addition to museum admission.
o Member Adults: $20
o Member Youth (ages 6-17): $13
o Public Adults: $25
o Public Youth (ages 6-17): $17
o Children ages five and under are free
INFORMATION: discovernewfields.org
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