Germania Place has brought back yet another immersive exhibit by popular demand. And it seems I enjoyed the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit so much that I’m back for another one: the Immersive Frida Kahlo Exhibit, featuring a Kahlo collection of film, photos, art, and accompanied by music and a gift shop.

For roughly 45 minutes, Chicagoans get to quite literally step into the life of legendary artist Frida Kahlo. From all angles, viewers are encompassed by her vibrant canvases: self portraits, still lifes, and landscapes into which Kahlo poured years of pain and passion. Contrary to the Van Gogh exhibit which merely projected a few of his best-known works, the Kahlo exhibit displays archival photos and video, further illuminating Frida’s narrative—from her everyday life in Mexico City to involvement in the Mexico Communist Party.

As images are projected by your feet, on the walls, and even the ceiling, mellow, instrumental music plays in the background that quickly blends into a lively Spanish tune, illustrating the ups and downs of Kahlo’s life while emphasizing her Mexican roots.

As bright images shift and swirl, some of Frida’s best-known works are featured, including “The Two Fridas” (1939), “The Wounded Deer” (1946), and my personal favorite, “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Monkeys” (1940). In addition to these famed pieces, the exhibit captures Kahlo’s renowned painting style—a fusion of Surrealism and Mexican folk art. The projected pieces, created with a blend of vibrant primary colors, are nearly blinding, but in the best way.

Most notably, Kahlo’s struggles with identity, depression, and illness—key attributes of her work and story—are evident in every channel of the exhibit. The exhibit’s team, led by Vittorio Guidotti, Massimiliano Siccardi, and Luca Longobardi, explained their motives for electing Kahlo’s art to display: “Brave and brutally honest, Kahlo transferred her fears and pain onto canvas in a way that resonates even more powerfully with us today.”

Tickets to the impressive exhibit can get a bit pricey, ranging from $40 to as high as $100. They are available for purchase through May 28, 2022. I strongly encourage everyone to head across the street and admire the Immersive Frida Kahlo Exhibit’s striking take on the artist’s narrative. Also, don’t forget to pick up an exclusive Frida mug on your way out!