Rent Van Gogh's bedroom in Chicago for $10
Airbnb is offering this recreation (with wi-fi) of Vincent's Arles room alongside a new Chicago show
Our Vincent Van Gogh monograph not only reproduces many of the artist’s most beautiful works, but also describes the troubled life the artist led. Van Gogh’s time in the southern French city of Arles in 1888 began with the establishment of his mature style and strong colour choices, yet ended, in 1889, with him being admitted to a mental asylum, having cut off part of his ear with a razorblade some months earlier.
A new exhibition, opening on 14 February at the Art Institute of Chicago, focuses on Van Gogh’s period in Arles, placing particular emphasis on his living quarters. Van Gogh's Bedrooms displays around 36 works by the artist, including paintings, drawings, and illustrated letters, as well as a selection of books and other ephemera known to have been in Van Gogh’s possession. Chief among these are three different paintings of Van Gogh’s Arles bedroom, which the Institute is showing together for the first time in USA.
The exhibition, its organisers say, offers “a pioneering and in-depth study of their making and meaning to Van Gogh in his relentless quest for home.”
And, if that weren’t evocative enough, as part of a clever promotion the AIC is also letting out a version of Vincent's bedroom via Airbnb for $10 a night. Or rather a certain ‘Vincent’ is “charging $10 for no other reason than that I need to buy paint. However,” he adds, “I will be happy to provide you with tickets to my exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago."
The lodgings aren’t, of course, in the ancient French settlement, but instead are quite close to the Art Institute of Chicago. However, “this room will make you feel like you're living in a painting,” explains the listing. “It's decorated in a Post-Impressionist style, reminiscent of Southern France and times gone by. Its furniture, bright colors, and artwork will give you the experience of a lifetime.”
But don't worry if you're worried that the simplicity of 19th century Arles life might pale rather quickly. The room does feature wi-fi. Slightly more worryingly though, “everyone who stays in the room" will apparently "be required to sign a waiver in advance of their visit." Perhaps to prevent any legalities arising from misuse of the complimentary shaving kit?
For more go here, for greater insight into this important post-Impressionist painter buy a copy of our sumptuous monograph, here.