'Transported Into His Paintings,' Beyond Van Gogh Extends LI Stay

WESTBURY, NY — As demand is high, the immersive Beyond Van Gogh exhibit has been extended into September at Samanea New York Mall on Old Country Road.

Paquin Entertainment Group produces the event, which typically takes an hour for guests to view in its entirety.

"It has a unique multimedia experience with cutting-edge projection technology," Tarina Paquin, the group's project manager, told Patch. "You're not just seeing his work, you're also being able to be transported into his paintings."

The guests also read the artist's writings, while contemporary music plays.

"You can simply take photos, dance around and have a wonderful time," she said.

Unlike in an art gallery or a museum, visitors literally become part of the painting.

Obviously, Van Gogh devotees will enjoy the exhibit, but it's made for anyone to like it or get introduced to the Post-Impressionist.

"It's for all ages, sexes, [and] physicalities. It's family-friendly," Paquin said. "If you're someone who knows a lot about him, then you're going to really enjoy the full scale."

"Starry Night" and "Sunflowers" are among the paintings that take over the Samanea space using more than 4 trillion pixels, as a "high resolution of Van Gogh's work," she said.

His art is displayed 360 degrees from floor to ceiling within the 30,000 square foot space.

The trick, Paquin said, was taking the 19th-century legendary prints into a 21st-century crowd, "so that it can be attractive to all audiences."

While the photos of Beyond Van Gogh are certainly impressive, Paquin said it's nothing like using your senses live.

"The painting ebb and flow, in and out of each other," she said. "I've seen kids running and twirling around. You find yourself just being able to, kind of, open yourself up and look all around you."

It runs until Sept. 4