I'm just charging $10 because I need to buy paint

February 16, 2016 2:58 PM

Vincent has put his bedroom up on AirBNB.
posted by pjern (25 comments total)

Love it.
posted by Jubey at 3:15 PM on February 16, 2016

For those of us who don't AirBNB is this just a joke listing? I mean what happens if you book?
posted by cjorgensen at 3:24 PM on February 16, 2016

Also confused. Some more context would be great.
posted by Conspire at 3:25 PM on February 16, 2016

That's pretty cool. Probably looks terrible from any other angle. I'd book it!
posted by Thorzdad at 3:33 PM on February 16, 2016

It's part of the exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago.
posted by shakespeherian at 3:33 PM on February 16, 2016

Yeah, I sorta got that part. I mean I figured it was one of his paintings. What I'm not understanding is the AirBNB part. Is this just a joke listing by some rando or is it a tie-in?
posted by cjorgensen at 3:37 PM on February 16, 2016

I'm not convinced that bed can sleep two people.
posted by urbanwhaleshark at 3:41 PM on February 16, 2016 [7 favorites]

It's not just that it is a Van Gogh painting; the AIC exhibit is the first time all three versions of this painting have been brought together for one exhibit. They also listed it on AirBnB as a promotion for the exhibition.
posted by shakespeherian at 3:51 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

And the best thing is that it won't cost you an ear and a leg!
posted by Atom Eyes at 4:07 PM on February 16, 2016 [13 favorites]

It is not listed as available for rent ever. Just a somewhat clever publicity stunt. Although, I'm sure for the right donation they'd let you spend a night at the museum.
posted by miyabo at 4:17 PM on February 16, 2016

At first I thought this meant "Vincent" as in "Gallo" and was TERRIFIED.
posted by pxe2000 at 4:26 PM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]

Chicago, not Arles. Total Scam, beware.
posted by humboldt32 at 4:30 PM on February 16, 2016 [5 favorites]

It's gotta be a scam. How do we know he won't end up spending the money on absinthe?
posted by Smart Dalek at 4:31 PM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]

with all the potential visitors to this famous room the downstairs neighbours are gonna be like
posted by chococat at 4:37 PM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]

It's available Feb 2019?
posted by BrotherCaine at 4:40 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

At first I was like "ha, funny joke" but then I was like "oh shit it's real!"
posted by turbid dahlia at 4:50 PM on February 16, 2016

My dearest Theo,

Many thanks for the 100 francs you sent and for your letter. Poverty prevents growth, that is the old proverb of Palissy, which has some truth in it ... it is sure that I cannot go on very much longer in the little room where I am now. This is what has troubled me mostly lately. Gauguin is here and the two of us live on the same money that I spend by myself before. I for one who was always quite decided to go on being armed with nothing but my brush and my pen, have rent out our room to afford paint. It is only 10 francs a fortnight but I expect soon to begin work again. Gauguin has proposed making the paint ourselves but I am not quite convinced.

With greetings,
your brother Vincent

PS: Thank you also a thousand times for the drawn picture of yours. But look at those thin arms ... do you even lift, bro?
posted by bigendian at 5:21 PM on February 16, 2016 [9 favorites]

It is real, it's in an apartment in River North. They're booked for February but will be opening bookings for March later on. The social media guy for the Art Institute is staying there tonight and tweeting about it, with more pictures.

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/feb/10/van-gogh-your-airbnb-host-art-institute-of-chicago
posted by colbeagle at 5:25 PM on February 16, 2016 [2 favorites]

Oh my god this is not a painting.

This shit is hurting me.
posted by selfnoise at 5:28 PM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]

That's amazing. Now I want their staging team of artists to do my house to look like a Van Gogh.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 5:38 PM on February 16, 2016

A fake historical location, appropriately priced. Nothing to see here. Now if it were expensive, that would make the forgery compelling...I want to see "documents" proving that this is an authentic fake. Perhaps a Dutch sounding name signing a certificate of authenticity? I want weasel words.
posted by thebestusernameever at 6:16 PM on February 16, 2016

Although, I'm sure for the right donation they'd let you spend a night at the museum.


I'm pretty sure Hell no.



museum overnight security person
posted by louche mustachio at 7:46 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

Plowing the Dark by Richard Powers (2000) includes one plot thread about a virtual reality room of this painting. COINCIDENCE? I THINK NOT.
posted by janey47 at 8:19 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

I'd book it tonight if I were traveling to Chicago...but at that price, I'm guessing it's not is a very wonderful part of town. Just guessing. I'm not in the AirBnB community.
posted by kozad at 8:33 PM on February 16, 2016

★★☆☆☆ Would not stay again; smelled strongly of linseed oil and turpentine. Am concerned host may have undiagnosed condition requiring medication.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 11:43 AM on February 17, 2016 [2 favorites]