Immersive art, or immersive experiences, whichever you prefer, are all the rage these days. Immersive exhibitions are those that don’t just involve a visible canvas, but also scents, sounds, and tactile sensations to create a synesthetic experience. It’s more than just being inside the artwork, it’s being able to run around and play with it as if it were a playground. The recent media art boom, in which you can interact directly with the artwork and use entire rooms as the canvas, has definitely arrived in Seoul, so if you’re curious about immersive exhibitions, check out these brilliant immersive experiences around the city.
1. Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Part of a global touring phenomenon that’s delighted over 5 million people since 2017, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is currently being held in Seoul at Gwangmyeong Station’s GIDC. It utilizes a huge space of about 300 square meters to fill the entire 360-degrees with Van Gogh’s artwork, and makes use of media mapping and VR technology to present the works and life of Van Gogh to the audience in one place.
To achieve the characteristic bold colours and brush texture of Van Gogh’s work, the experience uses 60+ projectors to bring his paintings to life. Visitors can sit on benches, recline on sofas, or lie down on the floor to enjoy the works in comfort. Other exhibits include a replica of Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles, France and a separate VR experience for those who want to experience his art at a deeper level. Tickets are available from Fever here.
📍 GIDC, 43, Iljik-ro, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do
2. Kani Lab
Like crab? You’re going to enjoy it in a whole new way at Kani Lab (Kanilaeb) in Seoul, which turns plates into media art using projection mapping. Fresh crab is prepared in a variety of carefully considered manners, and as the plates arrive at your table, the media art projections will tell the story of life, from Day Break to the Milky Way. It’s one of Seoul’s best immersive experiences, and probably the most delicious, too. For more information, check the website.
📍 61-3 Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu
3. Miguel Chevalier: Digital Beauty
‘Digital Beauty Season 2’ by Miguel Chevalier, a leading Parisian media artist and digital art pioneer, is on display at Ara Art Centre. The exhibition features works that utilize generative art, interactive art, and virtual reality, as well as collaborations with global luxury brands such as Hermès, Vacheron Constantin, and Perrier Jouet. The exhibition runs until February 12, 2024, and tickets can be booked through Fever.
📍 ARA Art Center, 26, Insadong 9-gil, Jongno-gu
4. Théâtre des Lumierès
Walkerhill-ro’s Grand Theatre has been transformed into media arts venue Théâtre des Lumierès, filled with immersive experiences. The immersive exhibition space utilizes a 21-meter high floor and boasts 1,500 square meters of space. The venue features a ‘long show’ – focused on the works of Salvador Dalí – and rotating ‘short shows’, which currently explores the works of the architect Gaudí. Tickets can be purchased on their website.
📍 177 Walkerhill-ro, Gwangjin-gu