DUBAI: Is this the future of touring blockbuster art exhibitions? That’s the question that springs to mind strolling through the perplexing “multimedia exhibition experience” of “Van Gogh Alive” — which runs until April 23 at Dubai Design District, presenting precisely zero original works by the Dutch master often touted as the greatest painter of all time.
Instead, viewers inhabit an immersive space — walls, floor and ceiling alike dizzyingly splashed with swirling, cropped images of Van Gogh’s works, clumsily phased together like an early Windows screensaver. In total, 3,000 different images flicker from 40 projectors, revolving in a half-hour suite of biographical chapters, set to patronizing mood muzak and punctuated with tortured quotes drawn from the great artist’s letters.
The most haunting moments morph Van Gogh’s harrowed self-portraits eerily into one another — the same deadened, listless eyes glaring out at the viewer from all angles.
The tech has been on tour since 2011, with stops already clocked in 35 cities on four continents, and in places it feels tired.
When I caught “Van Gogh Alive” in Lisbon last summer, silhouetted figures practiced artful tai-chi poses in front of the churning mass of pictures. I presume they were paid to do so, but remain uncertain, as any reaction to this bewildering “experience” was welcome: Hardened gallery goers paced the space with a studied scowl, while families sprawled out on beanbags and at least three paying guests appeared to be taking a nap.
There is, of course, a wider argument to be had about art and appropriation. Fragmenting and gutting Van Gogh’s work and intent in this manner instinctively feels sacrilegious: Should those famous sunflowers really rustle in the digital breeze? Should that windmill actually be seen to turn?
Yet watching kids frolic merrily in front of those iconic images underlines how accessible “Van Gogh Alive” makes his art, while the narrative arc offers audiences either a welcome refresher on, or an introduction to, Van Gogh’s extraordinary talent.
Review: ‘Van Gogh Alive — The Experience’
Review: ‘Van Gogh Alive — The Experience’
Lolo Zouai releases new music video, sets album date
- French Algerian star will release new album April 24
- Record dedicated to a close friend who died in 2021
DUBAI: French Algerian singer and songwriter Lolo Zouai this week dropped a new music video for her single “Holding On” and announced that her upcoming album, “Reverie,” will be released on April 24.
The track, which blends R&B and dance-pop elements, explores themes of grief and memory. Its accompanying music video is dedicated to Zouai’s close friend Hanna Rosa Hotchkiss who died in 2021.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Zouai said the album reflects a period of personal change.
“This record was made through three years of grief, growth, and reflection. I had to lose myself to find myself again. I couldn’t have done it without my angel, Hanna.”
“Thank you to my collaborators, my friends, and my Lo-riders who held me down through it all,” she added. “I hope it heals you the way it healed me.”
Zouai teased the album earlier this year writing: “2026. ALBUM SUBMITTED. LET’S… GOOO,” on Instagram, sharing a carousel of images of herself.
Fans quickly took to the comments section to congratulate the music sensation.
“OH MY GOD FINALLY!!! I’m so so so excited and proud of you omg, you did that,” one fan wrote. Another said: “Some good news i needed this fr.”
Another fan said: “I’m so excited I just shed a tear … 2026 is so gonna be your year boo!!!! SEE U SOON!!”
Zouai’s last release was in November, when she dropped a new single titled “3AM in San Francisco.”
In 2024, Zouai dropped several tracks, including her “Please Hold” EP featuring “jetlag” and “UNHHH,” along with “mute” and “Potential.”
In June 2024, she also announced that she had written a song for K-pop group NewJeans for their Japanese debut.
Known for her blend of R&B, club-pop and hip-hop, she has gained an international fan base for her dynamic stage presence and genre-blending music.
Her career highlights include the release of a debut album “High Highs to Low Lows” in 2019, which features 12 tracks, and a follow-up “PLAYGIRL” in 2022, which has 13 tracks.
After the album’s release in October 2022, Zouai was featured on a billboard in New York’s Times Square.
