If you loved stepping into Starry Night during the Van Gogh- The Immersive Experience at Newfields you've got another reason to return.
Monet and Friends Alive is the newest immersive experience coming to The Lume in Indianapolis, Indiana.
I attended a media preview of Monet & Friends Alive. The exhibit opens to the public on July 3, 2022.
The second year's content at The Lume was created by Australian-based Grande Experiences and is definitely road trip worthy!
You may have noticed pop up immersive art experiences in cities all over the United States, but The Lume is the only permanent exhibit of its kind.
The unique permanent exhibit space inside Newfields takes up the museum's entire fourth floor!
The digital art experience highlights several works by French impressionist Oscar-Claude Monet who was known as the father of Impressionism along with other noteworthy 19th century artists.
Masterpieces of the impressionists are brought to life in vivid detail on an enormous scale using 150 floor to ceiling high-definition projectors that make for a memorable experience.
Guests will have a full sensory experience with beautiful classical music, dynamic displays of light and scent while they examine the world of Impressionism.
The exhibit focuses on 3 main movements of Impressionism: Metropolitan, A Day in the Life and En Plein Air (painting outside).
You can really appreciate the bold brushstrokes of Monet as the artwork comes alive in the three-dimensional masterpiece. Guests are transported to scenes of the french countryside, farm fields and sights of 19th century Paris.
THE LUME Indianapolis is the largest continuous exhibition space in Newfields' 139-year history with nearly 30,000 square feet of immersive galleries.
Throughout the exhibit there are benches available in case you want to sit and watch the projections that catch your eye. This is also good to know for guests who are concerned about standing for long periods of time.
This type of immersive art experience is a great way to get kids and new audiences of all ages exposed to the arts.
Kids will especially LOVE the koi fish projections and butterfly projections on the floor that look real. I can definitely see that projection becoming a crowd favorite.
If you plan on taking pictures of yourself in the exhibit I would suggest wearing a solid bright color to help you "pop" in the pictures.
If you miss some of the projected paintings while you explore the exhibit you can see them later when the loop replays.
Tickets for The Lume are for a timed entry. Once you are inside the exhibit you can take as long as you want to see everything without a time limit.
I would recommend booking your tickets in advanced once you know your desired date and time.
The Lumiere Cafe at the Lume has a great assortment of speciality snacks and drinks in a Monet-inspired cafe.
I would highly recommend trying one of their craft cocktails. I ordered the "Lumen tonic" pictured above on the left made with vodka or gin, citron tonic and elderflower.
There is even a brand of French beer, "Kronenbourg 1664" for you to try. Kronenbourg lager beer was created in France in 1664.
The beer was very popular when those artists were alive so there is a high probability that you are drinking the same type of beer that Monet and other artists enjoyed.or at least a variation of the original from Kronenbourg Brewery that started in 1952.
You aren't confined to the bar area with your drink. Guests can wander the galleries with their drink in hand.
During the exhibit you'll have the opportunity to read more about works of famed french impressionist Oscar-Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Pierre Renoir and more.
I loved learning about Mary Cassatt from Pittsburgh, who was the only American among the Impressionist group.
I also learned that the invention of a tube of paint by John Goffe Rand in 1841 allowed artists the mobility to paint outside instead of being limited to a studio.
Your selfie can be turned into a work of art displayed temporarily in the art museum in the Monet & Play gallery of the exhibit.
You can also provide an email address for a copy of the image you took during your visit.
Guests of all ages will enjoy contributing to the giant coloring page on the wall featuring a pond of water lilies.
Pick the color of the washable marker of your choice and help turn a black and white picture into a one of a kind work of art.
Toward the end of your experience there is a giant three dimensional water lily painting that creates a fun photo op.
After you see the incredible projections of Impressionist paintings you can see the real thing.
There are several original pieces of artwork by select Impressionists displayed in a gallery.
Walk across the bridge and you are part of the works of art.
At the end of the exhibit there is a Monet and friends themed gift shop with an assortment of art-themed gifts with famous images.
You'll find books, prints, ornaments and even quirky souvenirs for yourself or a friend.
After you walk through the gift shop make sure that you take a moment to watch the rare footage of Claude Monet painting before exiting the exhibit space.
The Monet & Friends Alive Exhibit opens to public July 3, 2022.
General Admission tickets do NOT include THE LUME Indianapolis.
I realize that might sound confusing but basically if you purchase a ticket for THE LUME you have access to all the other areas included with a General Admission ticket for Newfields.
Basically, you get to see more art for the WIN!
The 152-acre campus at Newfields includes:
You can purchase tickets for Monet and Friends Alive at The Lume online.
The second Lume experience is definitely worth seeing!
Tickets for Monet & Friends Alive at The Lume are the following prices:
The Lume is located at the corner of 38th St and Michigan, Indianapolis, IN.
Newfields offers free parking for visitors.