A full day in Melbourne extended before me. I had no work, no games and no visiting. Now at last I could get out and about and see a little of the city. Or I could go to the Convention Centre in the Docklands and watch a light show. I plumped for Option B. Morgan's partner apparently under the mistaken impression that I have some passing interest in culture suggested that I pop along to a digital art gallery at the aforementioned convention centre and take in their van Gogh display.
Having watched Doctor Who I have an intimate knowledge of van Gogh so I decided to take her up on her suggestion. Besides the convention centre was within walking distance of my hotel. The day was warm and the trams rattled invitingly as I strolled towards what appeared to be a broad mud flat but which on closer examination turned out to be the Yarra River. Crossing the bridge I headed towards the convention centre strolling along a boardwalk specifically designed for people to stroll along while taking in the sights of the mud, sorry, water.
Getting to the convention centre was the easy bit. Navigating around inside it was a little problematic as I walked along here, up there, along a bit more, back down again, back the way I came, took a further turn, walked outside, walked back inside and eventually came to my destination approximately thirty seconds before I decided the whole thing was a cruel hoax.
With my money paid I walked in and prepared to be van Goghed out of my ever loving mind. The entrance way was modest, introducing us to van Gogh (apparently he was a painter) and a 3-D reproduction of a painting of his lodgings so that one could take a selfie in van Gogh's bedroom if one was so inclined. I decided I wasn't and moved on. On took me to a space roughly the size of an aircraft hanger. There were seats dotted about in case the journey through the space took it out of you. Also dotted about the place were people currently being immersed in van Gogh. And immersed we were. Across the walls and the floor were digital renderings of van Gogh's paintings, a visual surround of his work as it were. On selected billboards were brief captions identifying the paintings currently engulfing you along with quotes from van Gogh himself.
Walking was actually a little difficult as the swirling paintings made it more than a little difficult to determine which way was up on occasion but it definitely helped get inside van Gogh's head. Particularly if you're susceptible to epilepsy.
In fact the display was marvellous, it was a brilliant if slightly disorienting presentation of van Gogh's art dancing around you as you made your way (perhaps a little unsteadily) around the space. If you wanted a little time out from visual overload you could repair to the sunflower room and wander through (wait for it) a mass of sunflowers. Eventually I made my way to the far corner of the space where a cafe had been set up selling Dutch and French cafe fare and from where you could sit, sip coffee and watch van Gogh happen around you.
I did indeed sit and watch van Gogh happen around me while I sipped coffee and ate Dutch seed cake. After which I made my way somewhat unsteadily into the open air. Thus glutted with culture I made my way back along the mud bank in the general direction of my hotel.
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