Board approves permanent home at Park Square Castle for giant 'immersive' video art displays

The Boston Licensing Board today approved plans by a pair of entrepreneurs to turn a part of the Park Plaza Castle into a place for giant displays of art - just in time for their first show, featuring the work of Frida Kahlo, next month.

Immersive Art Space Boston will be using the that was not formerly used by the now closed Smith & Wollensky in the castle, now formally the Saunders Castle at Park Plaza. The company needed board permission to purchase the beer and wine license from the equally closed Panificio on Charles Street so that it could offer beer and wine to patrons with which to wander spaces illuminated with giant video replicas of an artist's work for up to 90 minutes.

Immersive Art Space is not affiliated with the concerns that put up dueling "immersive" Van Gogh exhibits in Boston recently.

The company started in Chicago and has put on similar exhibits in other cities.

Partner Maria Shclover, who will be on the hall's license as its manager, told the board she's moving to Boston by the end of the week - state liquor licensing laws require licensed managers to be Massachusetts residents.