Toronto opens Canada's first Van Gogh exhibit with a surprise twist as lockdown eases

Toronto art lovers have a new reason to rejoice amid the COVID pandemic as the city opens its first-ever drive-through Van Gogh exhibit, to ensure visitors maintain social distancing.

Organisers of the Van Gogh Exhibit in Canada's largest city Toronto have come up with an incredibly novel ideal — offer art lovers a drive-in facility to venture out and admire famous artworks, while not having to expose themselves to the otherwise heightened possibility of COVID infection.

Corey Ross, a co-producer of the exhibition, speaking to a news daily in Canada stated that the show was initially scheduled for May, but was delayed due to the pandemic.

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"We had to think creatively," said Ross. "You've never had an experience like this in your car. The feeling is almost as if the car is floating through the art."

The ingenious attempt will be hosted in Canada's largest city, as the country is slowly opening up and coming out of lockdown. According to reports, the exhibit began last week with two viewing areas in a Toronto warehouse, one area with social distancing circles drawn on the ground for those who wish to view the galleries on foot, and another for people in cars, who can simply drive right into the building and view the art all around them.

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It was reported in a news daily that 52 projectors covering more than 7,200 square feet of space with moving art and music was installed in the warehouse and can reportedly take up to 10 cars at a time. The installation was set up in collaboration with creators of Van Gogh Starry Night, an immensely popular exhibition organised in Paris last year.

From Van Gogh’s earliest sketches to his most recognised and revered masterpieces, the artist's works are projected along the walls, columns, and floors of the space.

The 35-minute show involves lights and music and viewers are required to stop at their designated parking spots and turn off their car engines and lights while the artworks are displayed. The paintings are positioned in a way that allows visitors to absorb all the paintings through their windscreens. 

Due to its massive popularity, the exhibit is reportedly already booked for most of its dates till the end of August. However, the organisers have assured visitors that the show will remain open through September.

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