THE LUME Melbourne is set to re-ignite Melbourne’s art scene thanks to a venue partnership with the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre as it announces its permanent home at the MCEC, opening Fall 2021.
The move is set to scale-up Melbourne’s art scene with a new, expansive cultural icon delivering an awe-inspiring adventure into art. THE LUME Melbourne transports guests into the world of the artist, bringing to life epic-scale masterpieces woven together with stunning musical soundscapes, evocative aromas and perfectly themed food and beverage offerings that can be enjoyed from inside the gallery.
The founder of Melbourne-based creators, Grande Experiences, Bruce Peterson, says THE LUME Melbourne is the answer to Australians’ growing appetite for meaningful, shared, new experiences and he is proud to bring this next generation, digital gallery permanently to Australia’s arts and culture capital.
“The cultural scene is vastly changing as visitors demand new experiences,” explains Peterson. “We have been at the forefront of this movement globally as our popular exhibitions have quickly moved from artifact based, to multimedia, to now multi-sensory/experiential. Today, we engage many more new audiences internationally in art and culture through this style of experience.”
THE LUME Melbourne will make its permanent home at the MCEC, a move which has been applauded as the “perfect fit” for Australia’s digital art gallery.
Offering soaring heights and broad, uninterrupted interior vistas, the MCEC is an unparalleled canvas on which THE LUME Melbourne can create this incredible cultural experience. Nestled in the heart of Melbourne along the bustling South Wharf precinct, MCEC offers easy access for all, as well as great transport links to the city. There is also an array of dining options in-house inspired by Melbourne’s world-famous culinary scene.
MCEC’s industry-leading VenueSafe (COVIDsafe) plan which includes temperature checks and social distancing measures, should reassure visitors of its safety.
MCEC CEO Peter King says, “This partnership provides an opportunity to bring people back to Melbourne and is helping to drive economic activity back in the heart of our city. Through partnerships like THE LUME Melbourne, MCEC is working to attract visitors to Southbank, where they can soon enjoy an immersive experience followed by the food, wine and shopping that makes our precinct such a destination. Activity like this benefits everyone.”
THE LUME Melbourne will open in the fall of 2021 with its inaugural experience featuring the vibrant works of Vincent Van Gogh. His works have been displayed and enjoyed around the world for over a century—but never like this. Forget about tiptoeing through unnerving and sometimes intimidating silent galleries and viewing paintings from afar. From the moment you enter, a powerful and vibrant symphony of light, color, sound and aromas compels you to leave the world behind and immerse yourself in Van Gogh’s paintings—an experience that is simultaneously enchanting, entertaining and educational.
At THE LUME Melbourne, guests transcend time and space as they accompany Van Gogh on a multi-sensory journey through the Netherlands, Paris, Arles, Saint Rémy and Auvers-sur-Oise where he created all of his timeless masterpieces. Visitors experience a sense of Van Gogh’s thoughts, feelings and state of mind as his works come to life in vivid detail. For many, the greatest pleasure lies in simply standing still—indulging the senses as waves of sights, sounds and aromas wash over them.
THE LUME Melbourne has confirmed sessions will run into the evenings resulting in an experience perfectly suited to corporate as well as family and social events.
Ticket sales for Van Gogh at THE LUME Melbourne will open in early 2021, and those interested are encouraged to visit www.THELUME.com to sign up for early access, as tickets are expected to sell out quickly.
Grande Experiences is a Melbourne-based, world-leading art and culture company dedicated to enriching the lives of people globally with immersive journeys of discovery. It designs, produces and licenses paradigm-shifting
traveling and permanent experiences that bring to life the genius and masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh and a pantheon of French Impressionists as well as the beauty and wonder of nature and science for millions of people worldwide. Since its founding in 2006, Grande Experiences has held over 195 experiences in more than 145 cities, to more than 18 million visitors in 32 languages. Grande owns and operates the Museo Leonardo da Vinci in a prestigious location in Rome and will be opening THE LUME—Indianapolis in June 2021. For more info, visit www.THELUME.com
At MCEC, they’re passionate about creating inspirational environments. They do this by delivering a personalized service and partnering with their customers to offer ideas, insights and imaginative solutions. They tailor every experience because they realize it’s the little details that make all the difference. They’re here to connect and inspire, and as a world-leading venue, they’re redefining events globally through innovation, partnerships and experiences. Their venue is distinctly Melbourne and they’ve been inspired by the creative, cultural and diverse delights of the city they call home. For more info, visit www.mcec.com.au
