Pokémon x Van Gogh: RESTOCK?
Here’s some good news following up on post from the end of September on the Pokémon & Van Gogh exhibit in Amsterdam, the merch has been restocked!
The initial rollout resulted in fans completely mobbing the Van Gogh Museum in an attempt to get the exclusive, free promotional Pikachu card. The museum was so overwhelmed with crowds that Pokémon announced shortly thereafter that the card would no longer be available at the museum. The limited edition Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat cards were on sale from the museum's shop on the day of the exhibition's launch, but were immediately sold out, prompting The Pokémon Company International to issue an apology to fans the next day.
As is the case with such popular character merch, in addition to actual fans trying to get their hands on the card, resellers swarmed the museum and website looking to cash in with collectors. Some cards have been spotted on websites for as much as $8,600.
In mid-October, the Pokémon Company posted on their social platforms that fans would be able to receive the "Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat" promo card with a minimum purchase of $30 from their online store, limited to one per person, starting November 1st.
Unfortunately, the site has been down since then.
Oops!
My guess is that the Van Gogh Museum shop website is totally unaccustomed to the amount of traffic the exhibit’s merch has attracted and has just buckled under the weight.
The product page for the quickly iconic print reproduction of Pikachu with a felt hat, based on Self-Portrait with a Gray Felt Hat by Vincent van Gogh, currently returns a 404 Not Found page. Same thing goes for the print reproduction of Sunflora in the sunflowers, based on the painting Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh, two of the most popular images circulating from the exhibit.
Fans and collectors are still staying tuned for any updates, fixes, or drops that might be in the near future, but so far, your best bet is to pay some shady online scalper for a chance at card, if you so choose.
I am still of the opinion that the more collaborations or promotions between pop culture and more “high-brow” artists or museums, the better chance we have to engage with younger generations and newer audiences. More people experiencing art is always going to be better for everyone. Hopefully the next people to do a similar collab are prepared for the buzz!
