To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Van Gogh MuseumThe Pokémon and the Van Gogh Museum launched an official collaboration, with the aim of presenting the work of Vincent Van Gogh to new audiences. Both the work of Vincent Van Gogh such as Pokémon have a special connection with Japanese art and culture. Japanese prints had a profound impact on the art of Vincent and your view of the world. In a letter addressed to his brother TheoIn September 1888, Vincent said:
And it seems to me that we couldn’t study Japanese art without becoming much happier and more joyful, and that makes us return to nature, despite our education and our work in a world of conventions.
So from September 28, 2023 to January 7, 2024, you’ll be able to see Pikachu, Eevee, Snorlax and many other Pokémon in a totally new way in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
Emilie GordenkerGeneral Director of Van Gogh Museumcommented:
This collaboration will allow the next generation to experience Vincent Van Gogh’s art and life story in a refreshing way. The Van Gogh Museum and The Pokémon Company International have drawn on many years of educational experience to create a special experience for children, their educators and, we hope, many others at the Van Gogh Museum.
To participate in these activities, a standard entrance ticket to the museum is required, which can only be purchased online. The collaboration between the Pokémon and the Van Gogh Museum will include the following activations, which will run from September 28, 2023 to January 7, 2024:
- Presentation “Pokémon at the Van Gogh Museum” (permanent collection, floor 1)
Several of Vincent Van Gogh’s most famous works, from the Van Gogh Museum’s permanent collection, served as inspiration for six paintings painted by artists from The Pokémon Company. Examples include Pikachu featured in a work inspired by Self-portrait with Gray Felt Hat (1887), the Pokémon Sunflora hidden in a version of Van Gogh’s famous painting The Sunflowers (1889), and Snorlax and Munchlax relaxing in a work inspired by The fourth (1888). You can admire these six specially created paintings on the first floor of the Rietveld building (Rietveldgebouw)
- A Pokémon Adventure activity (from 6 years old; activity leaflets are distributed in the Atrium)
One Pokémon Adventure flyer will guide visitors through the works of Vincent Van Gogh, which served as inspiration for the paintings in the special presentation of six pieces, Pokémon at the Van Gogh Museum. During the activity, visitors will discover the museum and the stories behind the paintings. When participants complete the Pokémon Adventure activity, they can turn in their completed booklet to receive a special Pikachu x Van Gogh Museum promotional card (subject to availability). The leaflet Pokémon Adventure is available in Dutch and English.
- Online teaching material Pokémon x Van Gogh – Van Gogh at School (basic education level, 2nd and 3rd cycles)
Vincent greatly admired everything about Japan and Japanese prints taught him to see the world differently. The use of flat surfaces in strong colors, everyday themes and attention to detail in nature were very important to him. Using collaboration Pokémon x Van Gogh As a starting point, students will discover the connection between Van Gogh and Japan and how inspiration can work both ways. Teaching materials are available in Dutch and English.
- Video tutorial “How to draw Pikachu” (Restaurant Rietveldgebouw 0)
A guided video activity will be available at the museum that teaches visitors how to draw fan-favorite Pokémon Pikachu and encourages them to get to work.
A Van Gogh Museum Shop will also feature an exclusive range of articles Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum, with art from collaboration.
The Director of Licensing at The Pokémon Company International, Mathieu Galantecommented:
We’re always looking for fantastic partners with whom we can create unique and joyful experiences for Pokémon fans, and we’ve found just that by working with the Van Gogh Museum. There is a strong connection between the inspiration behind Pokémon and the inspiration behind some of Vincent Van Gogh’s most famous works. With this collaboration, we really hope that children will discover and immerse themselves in the world of art through the incredible works of Van Gogh and Pokémon.
