Brushstrokes in Motion

Marking the 150th anniversary of Impressionism’s first exhibition, Tonight with the Impressionists, Paris 1874 transforms art history into a multisensory journey through virtual reality. Presented by Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) in collaboration with Excurio, GEDEON Experiences, and Musée d’Orsay, the exhibition immerses visitors in a meticulously reconstructed 19th-century Paris—where the flicker of gaslight, the hum of the salon, and the shimmer of Monet’s brushwork converge within a 42-minute VR experience.

Rather than displaying original paintings, HKDI reimagines curation for the digital age: a tailored Hong Kong adaptation featuring bilingual narration, a “making-of” documentary, and gallery installations that extend the experience beyond the headset. Through unpublished archival research and precise 3D modelling, the project captures the birth of modern art with cinematic intimacy. By merging artistry and technology, it transforms seeing into sensing—reviving the restless spirit of the Impressionists for a new generation of viewers.