A Feast for the Senses: What to Expect at 'Monet & Friends Alive' in BGC

Colorful and genuine. This is how Claude Monet approached his arts and led French Impressionism in the late 1800s. Painting canvasses of Paris’ daily lives and chaotically beautiful images of nature, Monet let people see a new worldview with this work.

Giving Filipinos an opportunity to dive into the impressionist’s art, Grande Experiences, the company that brought us “Van Gogh Alive,” has opened its “Monet & Friends Alive” multisensory exhibition in Bonifacio Global City. The exhibit features the iconic works of Monet, along with other French impressionists’ paintings and more immersive experiences that will delight all your senses.

The Beat Asia had the chance to get a preview of the exhibit, so we’re spoiling you with what you can expect!

To warm you up and juggle your memory of arts and history, the exhibition starts off with a gallery containing all the information you need about the featured artists and the evolution of French Impressionism. The lavender-hued walls are also painted with the artists’ most thought-provoking quotations, giving you a peek into their minds.

Upon entering the main gallery, you will also be greeted by a fragrant scent that introduces the overall atmosphere of the show. Inside, there are over 20 panels and two floor projections that present breathtaking, larger-than-life artworks, from portraits of people and their everyday lives to fields of greenery and gardens of flowers.

Some of the artworks you can witness up close are Monet’s “Water Lilies” and “Woman with Parasol,” Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party,” Paul Cézanne’s “La Montagne Sainte-Victoire,” and Edgar Degas’ “Swaying Dancer,” among others.

Here, you can immerse yourself in the detailed brushstrokes of Monet and the impressionists, switching and moving in sync with the classical music scoring that matches the paintings’ vibes. This includes tunes from French Impressionism composers Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and Romantic composers Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Jacques Offenbach.

After marveling over the colorful displays, you can try your hand at sketching Impressionist artworks over at the Art Studio. You can either hang your finished work at the studio or take it home to give it some color!

Ending the exhibit with an unforgettable experience is Monet’s Garden, a dedicated space that’s inspired by the painter's flowery garden. It features sounds of birds chirping, a tantalizing flowery scent, and flower garden installations on walls and ceilings — a perfect spot for a photo opportunity.

Before exiting the venue, make sure to take some snaps at the exhibit’s real-life version of Monet’s "The Japanese Footbridge!”

Experience all of these for yourself at “Monet & Friends Alive,” opening today, Jan. 31, at the BGC Arts Center. Get your tickets here!

When: Jan. 31 onwards

Where: BGC Arts Center, 26th Street corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

How much: Starts at P760 / Buy here