The Dead Artist Concept

Dealing with the masterpieces of dead artists? Yikes! It scares the fuck out of me. Remember art school? My professor, Mr. Arden, kicked things off with a real gem: “First off, you’re not an artist!” Thanks, Mr. Buzzkill! He was all about teaching us to be bold and ask for more—like a toddler demanding candy. Fast forward to graduation, and I see my talented friends still struggling to get noticed. Only 4% of contemporary artists make it into U.S. museums. Shocking, right? But honestly, it’s not surprising to anyone hustling in the art scene. We’re all just trying to keep our heads above the paint!

When the Immersive Van Gogh experience rolled into Hollywood, I felt a wave of unease wash over me. Don't get me wrong—it's great that people are finally getting to know Van Gogh, but why do I feel like I'm about to watch a horror movie where the paintings come to life and start critiquing my life choices?

Van Gogh: "Don't be like me, don't fall in love with prostitutes!"

Now, let’s talk about Picasso. The guy was like the overachiever in art class who never stopped raising his hand. Sure, he got to enjoy the perks of fame while he was alive, but does that make him a better artist? I mean, if we judge greatness by how much you can annoy your classmates with constant participation, then yes, Picasso is the king!

A Trip to Madrid: Art and Ancestry

During my quest to embrace my Spanish roots, I decided to visit Madrid and check out "Guernica" (Picasso's masterpiece on Spain being bombed by German planes during WW2.) displayed at the "Reina Sofia". Spoiler alert: it’s huge, dramatic, and yes, a bit "cartoony"—like an intense episode of a cartoon where everything goes wrong. While I was there, I saw a man in a wheelchair, moved to tears, shouting "Masterpiece!" in Spanish. I couldn’t help but chuckle. It was just typical Picasso—making people emotional while I’m over here thinking, “Dude, it’s just a painting! Chill!” Wish I could paint like that! Jesus Christ it's beautiful! Jealous! JEALOUS!

Art Obsession: A Family Affair

My obsession with art often leads me on wild adventures, like my trip to Madrid, which was also a sneaky way to dig into my family history. Turns out, my grandfather hailed from a town east of Madrid in Galicia, where the only thing more colorful than the art is the local gossip. So, here I am, trying to uncover my roots while simultaneously pondering why I’m so drawn to artists who seem to have had more drama than a reality TV show. In conclusion, whether it’s Van Gogh’s swirling stars or Picasso’s chaotic masterpieces, art has a way of making us question life while simultaneously providing us with a good laugh. Who knew that diving into the past could be so entertaining?

So, I had this brilliant idea: instead of diving into the immersive Van Gogh experience (which sounds like a fancy way to say "I paid to stare at a screen"), I decided to save my pennies and jet off to Arles, France. Why? Because that’s where Van Gogh did his thing and painted like a madman, and I thought, “Hey, maybe I can catch some of that artistic magic!”

Arles: A Place of Classy Chaos

Arles is like a game of Monopoly gone wild: you’ve got your Upper-Class, Middle-Class, and then—surprise!—a Forest! It’s picturesque, kind of like Old New York, but with more lightning bugs and flies that seem to be auditioning for a role in a horror movie. The locals? They’re a hoot! I asked a woman for wine in English at a bar, and she shot back, “I can’t stand you people,” with a smile while pouring my drink. Talk about mixed signals! It was refreshingly honest, unlike my experience in Paris, where the only thing I got was a side-eye from a waiter. Shoutout to the kind French lady at the bar for not tossing my drink in my face!

You stupid Americans! Trump really?!

Living the High Life (Sort Of)

With my last few bucks, I splurged on spas and treated my artist pals to dinner. Living the dream, right? As I wandered the town, trying to see what Van Gogh saw—like that bridge he painted—I realized I was just a tourist in his world. I mean, how can I truly understand his perspective? We’re from different centuries, and let’s be real, Van Gogh is basically a celebrity martyr now. In America, we idolize everyone, but in Europe, they have a history thats deeper than ours, so they’re less forgiving. If you act like a fool in France, you might just get sent to the corner… or worse, exile!

The Van Gogh Foundation: Where Art Meets Confusion

Arles has a little shrine to its local genius called "The Van Gogh Foundation," where they showcase his work and accept donations from modern artists—because who doesn’t love a good donation? When I mentioned the "Immersive Van Gogh" 3D exhibition to my French artist friend Scarlett, I expected her to roll her eyes. Instead, she said it was great for the city’s exposure! Mind blown! I finally understood why they celebrate this guy who’s been gone for over a century. But let’s be real: can we really compare Van Gogh to today’s struggling artists? It’s a mixed bag, depending on the artist and a million other factors.

Art in the Age of Social Media

Even with art plastered all over social media feeds, the big takeaway is that creating is what defines you. And trust me, even the best of us have days when we can’t tell our paintbrush from a stick of butter. So here’s to Van Gogh and all the artists out there—may we all find our own crazy, beautiful way to express ourselves! Hopefully finding success when it truly matters, while we are alive and not....