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Additionally, a new line of merchandise celebrating the collaboration will be released both at the Van Gogh Museum and the online Pokemon Center store. The merchandise includes both Pikachu and Eevee figures inspired by various Van Gogh self-portraits, a jigsaw puzzle, posters, and a Van Gogh-inspired Pikachu plush. A promotional “Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat” TCG card will be given as a gift for qualifying pieces of merchandise.
The goal of the new collaboration is to help bring Van Gogh’s work to a new generation of art fans. While the collaboration may be seemingly random, Van Gogh had a special connection to Japanese artwork, collecting “thousands” of Japanese art prints and mentioning many times how Japanese styles and innovations influenced his own work. Many of the artistic choices found in Japanese art of the time were mirrored in Van Gogh’s work, ranging from the unusual work of spatial features to the focus on natural details.
The Van Gogh Museum collaboration with Pokemon runs from September 28 until January 7, 2024. The Van Gogh x Pokemon line kicks off tomorrow and will stay until supplies last.
Pokemon Collaborations With High Art
The Van Gogh x Pokemon collaboration is just the latest in a series of Pokemon forays into the art world. The Pokemon Company previously collaborated with a line of promotional cards to celebrate a touring exhibition of Munch’s famous Scream artwork when it went to Japan. More recently, The Pokemon Company collaborated with Japanese artists and Japan House Los Angeles in an exhibit that used traditional Japanese crafts and art styles to celebrate Pokemon.
