An interactive exhibit celebrating the works of master painter Vincent Van Gogh has received mixed reviews, with Reddit critics calling it “guff”, “not worth it” and an “overpriced arty theme park show”. On the other hand, most Tripadvisor users have scored it “excellent”, calling the experience “great fun”.
The multimedia experience is taking place at exhibition space Propyard until 30 September, bringing the Dutch artist’s “masterpieces to life in a 360º light and sound spectacular, featuring a sound experience unique to Bristol”.
USA Today has crowned the touring exhibition “The Best 2021 Immersive Experience” – but Bristol reviewers have been more mixed in their reactions. While reviews on the event’s Tripadvisor page averaged 4.5 out of 5, a Reddit thread on the attraction was almost all negative.
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Reddit user kditdotdotdot bought three adult VIP tickets at £82.50 – a price they called “steep”, considering what was on offer. This included three large rooms of multimedia Van Gogh reproductions plus a “small, dark vestibule” with an immersive video of falling cherry blossoms.
“I wanted to make clear that I wasn't expecting any genuine [Van Gogh] paintings at the show,” they clarified, adding that it was “a fun hour’s experience” but pricey at “almost £100 for three adults”.
They also complained that the booking process – which they called “the worst bit” – forced them to download an app, as well as subscribing them to marketing emails against their wishes. But these claims were both disputed by other commenters on the thread.
Most respondents to the original post broadly agreed with kditdotdotdot’s review: User wedloualf said they “would maybe be happy to have paid £10 at most”. Purple_ladder said that “probably £24 was too steep”. NeoSchrute said they “felt the same”.
In a similar vein, Gabjam said they got a discount on entry but “sure as hell wouldn’t pay £27 for it”, while IAM_THE_LIZARD_QUEEN said they “sat through the entire thing twice on principle because of the price”.
Some Reddit users, like NarwhalsAreSick, had nothing but praise for the immersive exhibition. “My partner and I went a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it,” they said. “I wouldn't say it was over priced, but that's always just going to be a matter of opinion.
They added: “I thought it was really interesting and well put together. I didn't know too much about him going in, other than being familiar with some of his paintings, the ear thing, the depression and him not being so successful [in] his own life, so found the exhibit informative.”
Overall, NarwhalsAreSick concluded that, “although it perhaps went on a bit long”, they would “definitely recommend it to people”.
Over on Tripadvisor, Cristina P gave the experience 3 out of 5, saying she “would have given more stars if the price would have been fair” and adding that “the right price for what is offered would have been £13 really”.
AwrightDave concurred, opening that “overall it was a good experience but definitely overpriced and some bits were a bit cheap”. But most reviewers here gave the exhibition 5 out of 5, describing it as “a fantastic experience” and “a day not to be missed”.
Bristol Live has contacted exhibition venue Propyard for clarification on the booking process.
