By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Attendees at Ignite X enjoy ‘Van Gogh Dublin – An Immersive Journey’
Van Gogh Dublin – An Immersive Journey hosts Ignite X and a special DTS speakers’ reception at the RDS Dublin
‘Van Gogh Dublin – An Immersive Journey’ was created by Irish brothers Daniel and John Gleeson. The pair founded Theatre of Light three years ago, after being mesmerised by immersive digital art experiences overseas. Theatre of Light commissioned international content studio Nohlab, a leading tech-creative group, to produce a sophisticated art technology show. The experience opened in the RDS Shelbourne Hall on May 16th.
The experience encompasses a 20,000 square foot digital exhibition where Van Gogh’s most famous works surrounds you in 360 degrees. A multi-sensory experience, the artwork moves and evolves all around you, bringing you along for the journey.
Visitors also experience two other multi-sensory, contemporary pieces of digital artwork, some of which have featured in the famous Atelier Des Lumiere in Paris. These other award-winning experiences take the visitor on a journey beyond Van Gogh, to the evolution of Art, Science and Light.
Attendees of Ignite X enjoy ‘Van Gogh Dublin – An Immersive Journey’ at the RDS Dublin
Speaking about the event’s opening, Theatre of Light Co-Founder Daniel Gleeson said: “Theatre of Light have been working on bringing an immersive art experience to Ireland for three years now, so we are just so excited to finally be opening our doors in the RDS today to the public.
“We really just can’t wait for art lovers and experience seekers nationwide to finally see this and the almost inconceivably detailed digital art display we have ready for them. We have a huge amount of the world’s most advanced projectors all around this 20,000 square foot space in RDS, so you truly are immersed in this incredible moving and evolving artwork.
“As much as art lovers will adore this experience, it really is something new, exciting and different to do in Dublin for everyone. From toddlers to grandparents, this is an experience for all ages and interests.”
Ignite X
‘Van Gogh Dublin – An Immersive Journey’ played host to Ignite X, an exclusive event where investors from around the globe met and networked in a relaxed setting prior to the hustle and bustle of Dublin Tech Summit. This took place on Tuesday, June 14th.
Investor guests experienced the 40 minute sensory immersion offered by Van Gogh Dublin, followed by networking, which offered the attendees from the international investment community the opportunity to connect with each other, identify potential co-investors, meet high potential start-up founders and spot investment opportunities.
Founder of Ignite X, and former Head of Speakers for Catalyst Media, David Watters opened proceedings by welcoming the gathered investors, and expressed excitement at being back in a live setting.
Founder of Ignite X, and former Head of Speakers at Catalyst Media, David Watters addresses attendees
“I want to say a massive thank you to Tracey Carney and the Dublin Tech Summit team … They have outdone themselves,” he said.
He continued: “I was looking back to 2018, thinking about how [Ignite X] came to be, and this experience came to be through a need to create an experience for investors from both the Irish and international tech community – to talk about what’s happening in the market, to talk about what they are investing in at the moment, but also looking at what opportunities are there for investing in the future.”
Mr. Watters acknowledged the Herculean efforts of the tech sector over the past two years: “When I look back on 2019, everyone is talking about numbers. In Ireland in 2019, the amount of tech funding at the time was €707 million, and then in 2020, it went up to €1.19 billion, and last year it was €1.6 billion.”
Founder of Ignite X, and former Head of Speakers at Catalyst Media, David Watters at Ignite X
Investors welcomed the opportunity to network in person after two years of lockdown restrictions.
Ian O’Connell, Strategy Analyst at Flutter Entertainment Plc, was in attendance. He said: “It’s great to be able to see people again – that human connection. As great as the software is, to be able to speak to anyone else in the world, being near someone, being near people, having a glass of wine with them, you can’t match it.”
Vaibhav Tandon, Investment Analyst at Act Venture Capital, echoed Mr. O’Connell’s sentiments: “You miss the social aspect of meeting people. You read articles about it, but it’s different meeting someone in person. They could be a connection, potentially for the future. I’m glad the people here aren’t in their pyjamas or in their shorts.”
Speakers’ Reception, in association with Cognizant
‘Van Gogh Dublin – An Immersive Journey’ also hosted a special speakers’ reception the following day, June 15th, to acknowledge the work undertaken by the guests of Dublin Tech Summit. This was sponsored by Cognizant, the global technology services and consulting company. Like with the investors in attendance at Ignite X, guests were treated to the immersive journey supplied by Van Gogh Dublin.
Ian Hyland, President of Catalyst Media Group, welcomed attendees in a special address. “I want to welcome you all here after day one of what was a wonderful, wonderful Summit on a number of different levels … We’re here to experience Dublin, we’re here to talk innovation, and we’re here to spend time with each other, and I think that’s the really important element.”
Vincent Dooley, Global Director for Location Based Services at Cognizant, speaks to attendees
Mr. Hyland introduced Vincent Dooley, Global Director for Location Based Services at Cognizant, who quipped: “Yes, coincidentally, my name is also Vincent. I’d love to say I was named after the wonderful artist … but no, it was after the 1976 Don McLean song.”
Mr. Dooley continued: “Cognizant would be one of the world’s largest professional services company … You may have seen us more recently … We’re a big sponsor of the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. So if your business was a Formula 1 car, Cognizant would be the engine making your car go faster, further and keeping you ahead of the competition.”
‘Van Gogh Dublin – An Immersive Journey’ tickets are available here. This event’s ticket platform is hosted by Universe, a Ticketmaster company.
