After wowing audiences during a sell-out run on Wellington's waterfront earlier in 2020, one of the world's most visited multi-sensory experiences is heading back to New Zealand for a three-part encore season.

This time, Van Gogh Alive will see more than 3000 of the Dutch master's works head indoors for experiences in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. The large-scale projection experience, which allows visitors to marvel at the genius of the poster boy for post-impressionism, opens in Wellington at TSB Arena on January 12, before heading to Christchurch on February 18, and then Auckland's Spark Arena from Wednesday, 14 April.

The project is the brainchild of Melbourne-based Grande Exhibitions, which, for the past 15 years, has hosted immersive exhibitions and gallery experiences in over 140 cities across the world. The company also owns and operates Rome's Museo Leonardo da Vinci.

The 45-minute family-friendly experience creates the sensation of walking right into Van Gogh's paintings. Famous works including The Starry Night and Sunflowers are presented in fine detail using Grande Exhibitions' state-of-the-art technology combining 40 high-definition projectors, while a classical musical score accompanies the vibrant colours in cinema-quality surround sound.

The exhibition has wowed audiences at indoor venues throughout the northern hemisphere and parts of South America. Wellington was the first city to host the experience under the stars.

Top image: Rebecca McMillan Photography.