Amsterdam’s renowned Van Gogh Museum has joined forces with The Pokemon Company to introduce Pokemon-themed artwork inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s style. This artistic collaboration commemorates the museum’s 50th anniversary, but it faces an unfortunate challenge at the hands of apparent scalpers.
The museum’s Pokemon exhibit, known as “Pokemon Adventure,” offers visitors the chance to obtain a special promo card by completing a booklet available at the museum’s information desk. The allure of potential future value associated with these cards drew crowds to the museum, resulting in a less-than-ideal experience for attendees, as depicted in the accompanying video.
An FAQ regarding the promo cards mentions their limited availability and a one-card-per-person limit. The museum emphasized that once the stock depletes, there will be no alternative means to acquire the promo cards.
Drawing parallels, it’s worth noting that The Pokemon Company previously collaborated with the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in 2019, releasing trading cards inspired by Edvard Munch’s “The Scream.” These cards are now highly sought-after, some fetching prices upwards of $500. This precedent fuels the belief that the Van Gogh Museum’s Pokemon promo cards could similarly appreciate in value.
The Van Gogh Museum’s partnership with The Pokemon Company showcases unique interpretations of beloved Pokemon characters, such as Pikachu, Eevee, and Snorlax, reimagined in a style reminiscent of Vincent Van Gogh’s artistic sensibilities. This collaboration holds significance, as Van Gogh himself expressed an appreciation for Japanese art, stating in a letter to his brother, “It makes us return to nature, despite our education and our work in a world of convention.”
Emile Gordenker, the director of the Van Gogh Museum, commented on this creative union, saying, “This collaboration will allow the next generation to get to know Vincent van Gogh’s art and life story in a refreshing way.”
The Pokemon-inspired exhibit will remain open to the public until January 7, 2024, with ticket availability already exhausted through mid-October.
