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Original poster

Immersive Van Gogh exhibition

24 replies

Enko · 26/02/2023 00:13

Have anyone been? Is it any good?

It's my birthday on Wednesday and I mentioned to dh I'd like to go. He is not keen says it looks crap.

I'm disappointed I know plenty will say "go on your own" ( my.friend said that) or.go with friends (I don't have any who are off)
Truth is I'd have liked him to go because he knew I wanted to.

I've told him I'm disappointed he doesn't want.to go. I've not yet decided if I will go alone. I could do but truth is I don't want to spend my birthday alone. He said perhaps we could look into it.

He is a stay close to home kinda person and a goes to the shop the day before to get a present type. We have discussed this many times over the years but he just doesn't get it. Birthdays to him are painful due to my late bil who died in a car.crash they were 2 days apart and birthdays connect.to bil for dh.

I ought to name change for this as friends knows my.username but hey I know plenty won't click. Due to title.

Otherwise we get on fine day to day henis not shit with anything but birthdays and presents. Just my love language is giving and receiving of gifts and I feel like I am getting lost. Kids have moved out and frankly I'd like someone I love to do something I would like to do because I said I'd like to.

Sorry if I sound like a moaner. Empty nesting is actually hard to get used to.

OP posts:
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 26/02/2023 00:16

I've been. I liked it. So did the dc (who were 10 and 13 at the time). It would be fine by yourself. Would your dh meet you for drinks/meal afterwards?

My dh doesn't really "do" birthdays. I do. He does now usually rustle up a cake from somewhere, after The Year He Forgot My Birthday.

SageYourResoluteOracle · 26/02/2023 00:18

If this is a similar thing (was this the one that’s touring?) to one that my sister went to in Edinburgh last year then she says it was not worth visiting. She found it really badly done, not really all that immersive and really underwhelming! It might not be the same thing though. Happy birthday for Wednesday though!!

MrsRosieBrew · 26/02/2023 00:22

I loved it. Especially the VR bit. I think we paid extra for it but it really was worth it.

Shopaholic100 · 26/02/2023 00:26

Is this the one in York at the moment? I was wondering the same thing.

Original poster
Enko · 26/02/2023 00:28

Thank you. A mixed reply. I am looking at the one in London

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KnickerlessParsons · 26/02/2023 00:30

We went to the Bristol one and thought it was rubbish. It isn't "immersive" at all. Too many kids running around for enjoyment of what would have been a pretty poor experience anyway.

WinterMusings · 26/02/2023 00:31

I haven't been, so can't comment on the experience.

your DH is being crap though. I've done many a thing for someone else's birthday that wasn't my thing, but it wasn't MY birthday!!

has he always been like this? Is he struggling after covid, not wanting to leave the house etc??

Id feel so pissed off id probably now not want to spend my birthday with him. If I could, I'd get a ticket for another day, then plan to spend my birthday with a friend or family.

happy birthday for Wednesday.

mine was recently & I allowed a friend to mess up my plans. I wish I hadn't!

dancingqueen345 · 26/02/2023 00:31

We went when it came to Manchester and I thought it was pretty crap tbh, but then I'm not very cultured 🤣

Jinglehop · 26/02/2023 00:33

The one in London is great. Loved it. The first room when you go in is just ‘ok’ but the main display is wonderful. I spent hours there, much longer than you’re supposed to. Fine to go on your own if you need but dress warmly as it’s not well heated.

NowtSalamander · 26/02/2023 00:35

I’ve got to say I actually thought it was the worst thing I’ve ever spent money on. Couldn’t believe they charged me so much to basically watch TV. What do people get out of it that they don’t get out of watching a film about Van Gogh?I don’t understand the positive reviews! You can go to the national gallery and see the sunflowers for free and that is significantly better as an experience.

each to their own though; some clearly loved it. If you go to the one in London it’s in an amazing building which I hadn’t been to before even though we live in east london. That was the only thing I liked, plus it’s opposite spitalfields so some good shopping after.

Original poster
Enko · 26/02/2023 00:36

He has always been like that @WinterMusings. I guess it never bothered me when the kids were around as I'd go out with them or some of them. Now when it's just him and I. I do mind. At this rate I will end up with a Costa coffee for my birthday. As I do birthdays it's complex. He has likely bought me my favourite chocolates (Neuhaus) as he had lunch with dd1 Wednesday and I know they went there in Covent garden and she is a bully (in a nice way) with such things. Thoughtful girl.

Pretty sure dd3 and ds won't send anything both uni students. And dd2 will have something but will give it to me at the end of the month when she sees me next.

OP posts:
GingerAle1 · 26/02/2023 00:42

We wanted to do this too. I thought the projections were all over so it was like sitting in the paintings?

would your DH be willing to do something like a concert? I hope you have a good day whatever you get up to.

Appalonia · 26/02/2023 00:43

I saw it in Birmingham and really enjoyed it, but I like learning about artists' lives. Sorry your bloke is being an arse about your birthday, it's v hurtful. Go and enjoy it on your own and bu y yourself something nice too!

Pieceofpurplesky · 26/02/2023 00:45

DS (19) and I went. We both loved it

pizzaHeart · 26/02/2023 00:56

I haven’t been myself but a friend saw the one in York and wasn’t impressed. It doesn’t matter though it’s your birthday and your DH should be more thoughtful. It’s ok to give you the same favourite chocolates every year imo but the day should be spend as you wish if possible (and by “if possible “ I mean that he can physically go somewhere and there are no problems with his work)
Nothing wrong with wanting a bit reasonable fuss and attention on your birthday. You deserve it.

MeetPi · 26/02/2023 01:01

The main room with the projections is an incredible experience. The rest of the exhibition is a little so-so. But everyone is different!

Foo2 · 26/02/2023 01:05

I went to it in Edinburgh last year and loved it, still think about it.

Could you go to it or something else and meet up for food or drinks afterwards, would he be up for that? Do what makes you happy and celebrate your way - life is short! Hope you have a lovely day x

MrsFezziwig · 26/02/2023 01:25

It’s in different locations but basically the same format, giant moving projections of paintings on the internal walls of buildings such as churches. It was ok, but I went with friends and we made a day of it. We didn’t do the VR thing.

To be honest it would really irk me to have someone grudgingly accompanying me who I know didn’t want to be there, I’d rather enjoy it by myself, and he’s missed his opportunity to show a bit of enthusiasm and pretend he would like to go.

And all that stuff about his BIL’s birthday is a load of twaddle. If he wants to be miserable on his own birthday, let him crack on. If you want to be made a bit of a fuss of on one day a year, considering the amount of time women spend doing things they don’t really want to, I don’t think it’s too much for him to get his arse in gear and take you for a nice meal.

MajesticWhine · 26/02/2023 01:38

I loved it. I was particularly blown away by the VR (£5 extra).
It's disappointing and a bit mean spirited that your DH won't do this with you on your birthday.

PacificallyRequested · 26/02/2023 01:44

I went in Edinburgh and it was rubbish. If I'd gone on my birthday I would have been extra disappointed. Do something else!

WinterMusings · 26/02/2023 08:48

Enko · 26/02/2023 00:36

He has always been like that @WinterMusings. I guess it never bothered me when the kids were around as I'd go out with them or some of them. Now when it's just him and I. I do mind. At this rate I will end up with a Costa coffee for my birthday. As I do birthdays it's complex. He has likely bought me my favourite chocolates (Neuhaus) as he had lunch with dd1 Wednesday and I know they went there in Covent garden and she is a bully (in a nice way) with such things. Thoughtful girl.

Pretty sure dd3 and ds won't send anything both uni students. And dd2 will have something but will give it to me at the end of the month when she sees me next.

@Enko I'm sorry, it's disappointing isn't it. I'm in a sort of similar position & definitely fed up it.

I know it's not what you want, & I do understand, but try to plan a nice day for yourself, something nicer than just a costa coffee!!

Custardbanana · 26/02/2023 08:51

It felt like a very expensive PowerPoint presentation to me. Don't bother.

LaRitournelle · 26/02/2023 08:54

I went when it was in Manchester, it was a nice thing to do but definitely not worth £22 each.

Original poster
Enko · 26/02/2023 09:00

I'm still nit sure what I will do. I'm good of Van Gogh and I've been to many exhibitions over the years of his so its not simply going to the national gallery to see the sunflowers for me.

We don't live in London so not possible for me to go and the. Meet up later.

And yes he is being all the things said above about this I know.. I for the first time ever didn't do anything om his birthday it felt so wrong but he was happy. Problem is he now feels its ok to not do so for mine as he liked his..

I coild take dd2 Saturday but doesn't solve my Wednesday...

Tnx for all the replies

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