TORONTO – While attending the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit, visitors were disappointed that despite being advertised as immersive, the experience involved only two senses, seeing and hearing. That is when patron, Jessie Haskins, tried to introduce taste so that he could get his $50 worth out of the event.
Haskins is an art lover who was excited to attend the exhibit because it promised to be immersive, which is something that isn’t available at traditional art galleries. However, after entering into the exhibit, Haskins was surprised to discover that it was just projected images to music.
“To me, immersive means that it should involve all the senses. Imagine, the smells of sunflowers, the taste of bread and butter, and the touch of a straw hat or severed ear,” dreamed Haskins. “Instead, I’m standing there using the same senses I always do, even the shitty art galleries play music while I use my eyes to see art.”
That is when Haskins began to lick various objects around the exhibit to awaken his other senses. Visitors became distracted from the experience as Haskins licked the walls, chairs, floor, and a few unlucky patrons. There was a salt water puddle left from someone’s boot that Haskins claimed really brought out the poverty in “The Potato Eaters” display. Security stepped in when he began to encourage other visitors to taste the gum he found stuck under one of the chairs during the “Café Terrace at Night” images.
When reached for comment, organizers stood by marketing the experience as immersive.
“The images are everywhere like on the ceiling, and floor, and walls so you are standing there and the art is even projected onto you,” explained Al Pricey, director of marketing. “We had experimented with including more senses but it was too overwhelming for senses. Back in Van Gogh’s time, there were only two senses. Experiencing more than two at once is what led Van Gogh to cut off his ear.”
Other patrons, like Judy McLean, weren’t happy with Haskins outburst but agreed they were underwhelmed.
“I’ve been to Cineplex’s 4D experience. That’s really what I was expecting. Water squirting into your face for rain, smells of vanilla for cookies, and punches in the back when the action heated up,” expressed McLean. “Although I’m glad this didn’t have the punches in the back cause they really weren’t nice punches but they really got your sense of touch going.”
Presently, Haskins is planning to visit the Immersive Da Vinci exhibit and hopes “The Last Supper” display includes at least a wafer and wine like at church.
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