Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - September 16, 2020, Winnipeg, Manitoba C M Y K PAGE C1 F RESH off enormously suc-cessful stops in Montreal and Quebec City, Imagine Van Gogh is bringing its immersive sen- sory experience to the RBC Conven- tion Centre. The exhibition premièred in Paris in 2017 and was created by designers Annabelle Mauger and Julien Baron. It weaves together multimedia — and the true life stories of two different men, artist Vincent Van Gogh and Cathédrale d’Images founder Albert Plécy — to create a grandiose experi- ence of art, projection and music that has wowed millions of viewers throughout the world. While it is the artwork of Van Gogh — the Dutch post-impressionist paint- er (1853-90) whose bold colours and expressive brushstokes influenced many who came after him — that is on display, it is Plécy’s concept of the “Image Totale” that inspired Mauger and Baron to create the immersive blend of sound and image. Plécy, a journalist and photographer, created the Cathédrale d’Images (now called Les Carrières de Lumières or Quar- ries of Lights) to project luminous images onto the stone walls, ceilings and floor of a former bauxite quarry in Provence, in southeast France. Visitors are invited to wander and explore amid enormous projections of more than 200 of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings from the Arles period, the Saint-Rémy period and the Auvers-sur-Oise Period, includ- ing Sunflowers, Starry Night over the Rhône and Wheatfield with Crows. The exhibition is also set to music selected to contribute to the emotional depth of the art by classical compos- ers including Handel, Mozart, Saint- Saëns and Prokofiev. “We’ve been talking about this show for a number of years,” says Gilles Paquin, CEO and president of Paquin Entertainment Group. Paquin worked with Paul Dupont–Hébert, producer at the Quebec-based company Tan- dem to bring Imagine Van Gogh from Paris to Canada. The COVID-19 pandemic put the feasibility of the exhibition in ques- tion, but with some creative think- ing, the exhibition was able to move forward. “If you go and see a concert and it’s only at 50 per cent (attendance), it’s not the real experience,” says Dupont–Hébert. “If you go and see a comic, you need a lot of people laugh- ing around you. With this, the show is so wide, so big, so high, so to feel a little bit alone in that is like being in a dream.” “There are very few things with this kind of mass appeal that you can actually do in these difficult times,” Paquin says. “Everything about Imag- ine Van Gogh fits for these times.” Paquin says the exhibition is also great for families and children of any age and that Winnipeg is the perfect place to bring the exhibition after its success in Montreal, Quebec City and Paris. He has plans for future stops throughout North America, but is thrilled to be bringing it to Winnipeg so early in the run. “You’re looking for people who have a high degree of respect for art and Winnipeg has that,” says Paquin. “Whether it’s the ballet, the sympho- ny, or RMTC, Winnipeg has a great culture of people who love art.” Imagine Van Gogh runs at the RBC Convention Centre at 375 York Ave. from Sept. 24 to Oct. 31. Admission is free for children under four and tick- ets range from $31.50 to $81.38 plus taxes and fees. Tickets are on sale now at winnipeg.imagine-vangogh.ca/ tickets. frances.koncan@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @franceskoncan EXHIBITION PREVIEW IMAGINE VAN GOGH ● Sept. 24 to Oct. 31 ● RBC Convention Centre, 375 York Ave. ● Tickets $31.50-$81.38 plus taxes and fees ● winnipeg.imagine-vangogh.ca LAURENCE LABAT PHOTOS Visitors are invited to wander and explore amid enormous projections of more than 200 of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings. READY TO GOGH City selected as early stop for immersive exhibition of Dutch master’s work The scale of the show makes it an ideal offering during the pandemic. FRANCES KONCAN Imagine Van Gogh showcases the artwork of Vincent Van Gogh in a grandiose experience of art, projection and music. ARTS ●LIFE ARTS@FREEPRESS.MB.CA ● WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 CONNECT WITH THE BEST ARTS AND LIFE COVERAGE IN MANITOBA SECTION C▼ Stepping into the spotlight for the performing arts Retired doctor’s walkathon provides remedy for ailing cultural organizations DOUGLAS MacEwan has been walk- ing one kilometre every day for the last two months. Daily exercise is nothing new for the active 95-year-old retired radiolo- gist, but this new routine goes beyond personal health; MacEwan is walking to raise more than $100,000 for Win- nipeg’s four major arts organizations. “It’s very, very difficult for the arts groups, because they have to keep their actors and dancers and singers in training,” he says. “If they aren’t performing, they lose the drive.” The walkathon started when he received an unexpected letter from a childhood friend of his kids, who lived in the neighbourhood and used to stop by the MacEwan house for fresh-baked cookies. In the letter, the sponsor — who asked to remain anonymous — said they would donate $500 to a charity for every kilometre walked up until MacEwan’s 96th birthday on Nov. 11, plus an additional $500 for every day he finds someone to walk with. As a lifelong patron of the arts, it was easy for MacEwan to choose the fundraising recipients. He has been a season ticket holder with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Manitoba Opera, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre since moving to the city in 1966. The total amount raised, which is climbing thanks to public donations, will be split equal- ly among the four groups. “It makes me feel wonderful,” he says of the opportunity to contribute. “It’s very important to come together and raise money to support them.” EVA WASNEY ● CONTINUED ON C3 MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Winnipeg arts lover Douglas MacEwan (in red cap) is walking one kilometre every day for 96 days to raise funds to be divided evenly among Manitoba Opera, Royal Mani- toba Theatre Centre, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. C_01_Sep-16-20_FP_01.indd C1 2020-09-15 5:41 PM ;