The Pokémon X Van Gogh collaboration at Amsterdam’s renowned Van Gogh Museum, a high-profile partnership between The Pokémon Company and the Dutch institution, has ended on a controversial note following the dismissal of four museum employees.
The exhibit, which debuted in September 2023 and concluded in January 2024, was a landmark event marrying classic post-impressionist art with iconic Pokémon imagery, capped by exclusive merchandise and a highly sought-after Pikachu Van Gogh Pokémon card. According to a report in Dutch newspaper Het Parool, at least four staff members—including security guards and public service employees—were dismissed due to inappropriate behavior during the exhibition’s chaotic run.
While the Van Gogh Museum declined to confirm the precise number or identities of those affected, sources familiar with the situation told Het Parool that one employee had attempted to embezzle a box of the prized Pikachu Van Gogh Pokémon cards.
Additionally, some employees had reportedly breached operational protocols by informing visitors in advance about the exhibit and guiding them on ticket purchasing, potentially exacerbating the surging demand and crowd control challenges.
One of the dismissed employees had been with the museum for a notable 25 years. The Pokémon X Van Gogh exhibition officially opened in September 2023 and quickly garnered international attention.
Fans and collectors flocked to the museum to see six Van Gogh masterpieces reimagined with Pokémon characters and to obtain exclusive items, including the limited Pikachu Van Gogh card.
The card in particular became a focal point of the event, creating intense competition, long lines, and quickly escalating demand both onsite and in the secondary market.
Within days of the exhibit’s debut, social media and resale platforms were flooded with listings for Pokémon X Van Gogh merchandise, with prices soaring far beyond retail value. Despite the collaboration’s creative ambitions and initial popularity, the event was marred by crowd control issues and merchandising controversies.
The situation further escalated with the employee dismissals, casting a shadow over what had been a groundbreaking crossover for both the Van Gogh Museum and The Pokémon Company. The Pokémon Company, along with partners such as Nintendo Switch and the wider Nintendo Direct community, continues to expand the global reach of Pokémon through innovative collaborations.
However, the events in Amsterdam highlight the challenges of managing exclusive merchandise experiences and maintaining operational integrity, especially as Pokémon’s popularity continues to surge worldwide.
The exhibit, which debuted in September 2023 and concluded in January 2024, was a landmark event marrying classic post-impressionist art with iconic Pokémon imagery, capped by exclusive merchandise and a highly sought-after Pikachu Van Gogh Pokémon card. According to a report in Dutch newspaper Het Parool, at least four staff members—including security guards and public service employees—were dismissed due to inappropriate behavior during the exhibition’s chaotic run.
While the Van Gogh Museum declined to confirm the precise number or identities of those affected, sources familiar with the situation told Het Parool that one employee had attempted to embezzle a box of the prized Pikachu Van Gogh Pokémon cards.
Additionally, some employees had reportedly breached operational protocols by informing visitors in advance about the exhibit and guiding them on ticket purchasing, potentially exacerbating the surging demand and crowd control challenges.
One of the dismissed employees had been with the museum for a notable 25 years. The Pokémon X Van Gogh exhibition officially opened in September 2023 and quickly garnered international attention.
Fans and collectors flocked to the museum to see six Van Gogh masterpieces reimagined with Pokémon characters and to obtain exclusive items, including the limited Pikachu Van Gogh card.
The card in particular became a focal point of the event, creating intense competition, long lines, and quickly escalating demand both onsite and in the secondary market.
Within days of the exhibit’s debut, social media and resale platforms were flooded with listings for Pokémon X Van Gogh merchandise, with prices soaring far beyond retail value. Despite the collaboration’s creative ambitions and initial popularity, the event was marred by crowd control issues and merchandising controversies.
The situation further escalated with the employee dismissals, casting a shadow over what had been a groundbreaking crossover for both the Van Gogh Museum and The Pokémon Company. The Pokémon Company, along with partners such as Nintendo Switch and the wider Nintendo Direct community, continues to expand the global reach of Pokémon through innovative collaborations.
However, the events in Amsterdam highlight the challenges of managing exclusive merchandise experiences and maintaining operational integrity, especially as Pokémon’s popularity continues to surge worldwide.
