Despite my assumption that combining VR content with real-world locations was a thing of the past due to the pandemic, a new immersive experience proved me wrong. I thought VR in 2024 would be a solitary activity, but “Tonight With The Impressionists, Paris 1874” by French startup Excurio in collaboration with Musée d’Orsay and Eclipso changed that perception.
This experience, which celebrates the 150th anniversary of the first Impressionist art exhibition, transports visitors to 19th century Paris, allowing them to explore various key locations from Impressionist history. Following successful launches in France and Atlanta, the experience is now available at the Eclipso Center in New York.
Unlike other VR experiences, Excurio and Eclipso do not construct physical spaces corresponding to the virtual environment, enabling multiple experiences to run simultaneously. This approach led to some awkward moments, but overall, it successfully immersed us in Parisian scenes and interactions with iconic artists.
Excurio’s VR experiences do not require bulky backpacks, allowing for more participants simultaneously. The company recently hosted over 100 participants in the same space, managing the crowds through specific narratives and staggered start times to prevent collisions.
While the experience with “Tonight With The Impressionists” felt slightly long for beginners, it offers a unique and educational exploration of Impressionist art and the potential of VR technology.
