‘Immersive Shevchenko: Soul of Ukraine’ celebrates a beloved Ukrainian artist while raising funds for Ukraine

The immersive, sensory art experience by the team behind ‘Immersive Van Gogh’ will arrive in Denver this month.
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Immersive Shevchenko: Soul of Ukraine.
Provided by Carol Fox and Associates Public Relations.

A new immersive art exhibit by the team behind Immersive Van Gogh and Immersive Frida Kahlo will open in Denver this month, this time featuring the work of Taras Shevchenko, a mid-19th century Ukrainian painter, illustrator, poet, writer and political activist.

Produced by Lighthouse Immersive, Immersive Shevchenko: Soul of Ukraine will open in six cities across the U.S. this month. A version of event originally debuted in 2021 in Odesa, Ukraine. Coordinated by Ukraine-born Lighthouse Immersive Associate Producer Valeriy Kostyuk with the help of a Ukraine-based creative team, the original experience applied Immersive Van Gogh's technology to create a sensory art experience celebrating Shevchenko's life and work.

"I always wanted to find a way to use my experiences producing in North America to promote Ukrainian artists," Kostyuk said in a statement. "Ukrainian culture is as beautiful and moving and important as the culture of any other country in the world, and Shevchenko is, in many ways, a father of the independent Ukrainian nation. I have been moved and inspired beyond words by the endurance and resilience of the Ukrainian people in this moment and I am deeply thankful to the incredible team in Ukraine who partnered with me on this project, as well as to the producers at Lighthouse Immersive for standing with me in this moment."

Visitors to the Denver attraction will immerse themselves in the world of Ukraine - its beauty, its triumphs, its struggles - through the lens of more than 200 of Shevchenko's paintings and illustrations, which will be projected digitally on massive wrap-around screens. The show runs on a 15 minute loop, and tickets include admission to Immersive Frida Kahlo.

All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit two charities committed assisting Ukraine: the Red Cross Humanitarian Crisis Appeal Fund to Benefit Ukraine and the National Bank of Ukraine Fund. Ticketholders may choose which of these organizations to donate to.

Taras Shevchenko was famous for ridiculing the Russian government over its oppression of his home country of Ukraine, often exploring themes of Ukrainian oppression in his art.  Many of his artistic works are displayed in the National Museum of Taras Shevchenko in Kyev. In the days since Russia launched its attack on the country, workers have been crating away Shevchenko's works for their protection. According to a release from Lighthouse Immersive, the crates they are using are the very same containers used to protect the works from invading Nazi forces during WWII.

"Like millions around the world, we feel shocked and helpless in the face of what Ukraine is experiencing right now, and I happen to have a particular lens on this with core members of our team being from and with family in Ukraine," Lighthouse Immersive Producer Corey Ross said in a statement. "On behalf of the entire company, I am grateful to have the opportunity to bring this show here and to be able to help in any way I can."

Immersive Shevchenko: Soul of Ukraine opens March 15, 2022. Tickets are available online now, and go for $45-90.

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