Immersive experiences shouldn’t be reserved for just the privileged techie few, and thankfully we’re seeing interactive technology being deployed in the mainstream more and more often. From Augmented Reality (AR) Instagram filters bringing 2D art to life to the opening of metaverse filming studios, immersive experiences are popping up all over the place. Excitingly, thanks to our Immersive Month sponsors, Zubr, we have a new piece of interactive tech ourselves! Make sure to check out our awesome SPARKies-themed Instagram game ‘Which SPARKies Award would you win?’ at @techsparkuk.

With Immersive Month drawing to a close at TechSPARK, we want you all to still revel in the joys immersive tech has to offer by experiencing them first hand in Bristol. You can revisit all of the content this month here, and keep your eyes peeled for one final feature on creating virtual characters. But, if you’re ready for an immersive experience, here are TechSPARK’s top picks.

Van Gogh Bristol

2022 sees the Van Gogh Immersive Experience head to Bristol after its massively successful run across London, Europe, America and Asia. Awarded ‘The Best 2021 Immersive Experience’ by USA Today, the 360 degree digital art experience brings the works of Van Gogh to life in an all-new way.

Step inside over 300 of Van Gogh’s sketches, drawings, and paintings by using floor-to-ceiling digital projections, made possible by state-of-the-art video mapping technology.

As well as a 20,000 square foot light and sound spectacular featuring two-story projections of the artist’s most compelling works, the exhibition also includes a one-of-a-kind VR experience in a separate gallery. This multi-sensory experience guides the viewer through a ten-minute journey on “a day in the life of the artist”, providing a chance to discover the inspiration behind some of his most beloved works including Vincent’s Bedroom at Arles, and Starry Night Over The Rhone River.

The event is running in the city until September 30 at Propyard, with tickets starting from £21.90 for adults and £14.00 for children, with a 30% discount for seniors, students and NHS workers.

Wake the Tiger

The world’s first amazement park opened in Bristol in July 2022. Born from the creative minds behind Boomtown Fair, Wake The Tiger is an immersive art experience consisting of 27 different creative environments including artwork, installations, narrative, soundscape, secret passageways and so much more.

The TechSPARK team was invited down to explore the fictional Meridia Luxury Homes marketing suite and all the wonders the world inside contains, from the ancient tree inside the abandoned factory walls, to the 4 great guilds, Earth, Air, Water & Fire.

This unique experience encourages you to explore the multi-layered maze of immersive environments, passageways, hidden forests, temples and ice caves.

The experience takes roughly 60 minutes, with tickets giving you full access to explore the fictional world, as well as the cafe and gift shop.

Immotion VR

Immerse yourself in the many virtual reality games and experiences at ImmotionVR. Ride the fantasy roller coaster through space, take a swim with humpback whales or speed around a track in a multiplayer car race.

Choose between simulator style or full body VR and be taken to different worlds that test your skills. Try various multiplayer experiences and by booking six places you can have the space to yourself as a group for the full session.

This is perfect for gamers as young as 8 years old and all those that love VR, but is also a great introduction to the world of virtual reality for anyone curious to experience it.

Tickets are available here.