Talk about life imitating art!
Vincent van Gogh’s "Bedroom in Arles" is now listed on Airbnb, and some lucky fans will get the opportunity to stay in it for the small price of $10 a night.
In honor of its upcoming exhibit, which features three distinct paintings of this famous room from 1888 to 1889, The Art Institute of Chicago has recreated the space and made it available for art lovers to rent.
“Vincent van Gogh’s 'Bedroom in Arles' is arguably the most famous bedroom in the history of art,” museum spokesperson Amanda Hicks told TODAY.com. “The idea to faithfully re-create it in a modern apartment and invite people to stay was part of the promotional campaign recommended by our advertising agency, Leo Burnett. We hope it's a way to bring fresh eyes and fresh perspective to the painting.”
The room, which is located in a doorman/elevator building near the museum, was created by a team of artists and designers from Ravenswood Studio who installed the room over a four-week period.
“They brought the two-dimensional painting to life in an incredible three-dimensional installation true to the perspective, color and detail of Van Gogh's iconic painting,” Hicks said.
The listing describes it as being “decorated in a post-impressionist style, reminiscent of southern France and times gone by” and adds that “its furniture, bright colors and artwork will give you the experience of a lifetime.”
Open Feb. 14 through May 10 (the same dates as the exhibition), the one bedroom/one bath accommodates two and includes some modern luxuries such as TV, Internet and a washer and dryer.
The museum will be releasing the rooms in cascading blocks and announcing release dates on its social platforms to give people a heads up before new nights open on Airbnb.
“The idea is to give as many people as possible a chance to check in and grab a night during the run,” Hicks said.
For those who aren’t able to book a stay, there will still be a chance to experience a real-life recreation of the painting.
“There's one in the museum exhibition that is a to-scale replica, built up from a gallery floor marking out the actual blueprint of the second story of Van Gogh's yellow house in Arles, France,” she said. “The re-created bedroom in the museum is part of an immersive digital/sound experience, surrounded by large screens that scroll images and text from Van Gogh's letters and sketchbooks, with music tying it all together. It's really exciting!”
For more info on the exhibit, visit artic.edu, and to try your luck at snagging a stay in the famous painting, head to Airbnb.