Earlier this summer, Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum launched a collaboration with the Pokémon brand, offering themed activities for visitors across the institution. However, the museum has now announced that a limited edition Pokémon trading card is no longer being offered, for safety and security reasons.
Following the exhibition’s launch in September, social media videos showed tourists packing the museum’s shops in search of Pokémon products. The Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat card, inspired by the iconic Van Gogh self-portrait, was available after visitors had completed a ‘quest’ through the museum, but quickly attracted the interest of alleged scalpers. Online, some cards have been seen for sale for as high as €8,060 (£7,000).
An “undesirable situation”
A statement from the museum said: “Recently, a small group of individuals has created an undesirable situation that has led us to take the difficult decision to remove the Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat promo card from the museum.”
The Van Gogh Museum said that this decision was taken in order to allow visitors to explore the exhibits in a “safe and enjoyable manner”, with the “safety and security” of staff in mind.
Fans from the US, Canada, and the UK will still be able to purchase the card online, according to the Van Gogh Museum. It added that it would not be sold through the Van Gogh Museum again, but would be available in a few chosen Dutch stores starting early next year.
Pokémon-themed experiences still on offer at the Van Gogh Museum include a series of the artist’s famous pieces starring Pokémon characters. Plus, Pokémon x Van Gogh online learning material will allow visitors to understand more about the link between Van Gogh and Japan.
When the initiative was initially announced, Emilie Gordenker, general director of the Van Gogh Museum said: “This collaboration will allow the next generation to get to know Vincent van Gogh’s art and life story in a refreshing way. The Van Gogh Museum and the Pokémon Company have drawn on many years of educational expertise to create a special experience for children, their supervisors, and we hope many others at the Van Gogh Museum.”
Images courtesy of the Van Gogh Museum and Pokémon
