Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum has axed four of its staff members following the chaotic incident that transpired last September amidst the institution's collaborative show with the Pokémon Company International.
The Dutch publication Het Parool has confirmed that the workers have been indefinitely relieved of their positions within the museum after initially being suspended back in December.
Pikachu inspired by ‘Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat’, Naoyo Kimura (1960), The Pokémon Company International.
Looting A Box of 'Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat' Cards and Other Violations
According to a statement by the museum, those who were axed comprised security guards, checkroom attendants, and ticket office employees.
One of the violations that the workers were fired for was stealing a box of limited-edition "Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat cards," which was modeled after the iconic 1887 portrait of the late Dutch master, Vincent Van Gogh.
An employee who had been with the museum for around two and a half decades, on the other hand, was dismissed due to breaching the Amsterdam institution's procedures and codes of conduct by telling visitors the "best times" to procure the cards.
Why the 'Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat' Card was Pulled Out
The "Pokemon x Van Gogh Museum" event was first officially launched last Sept. 27, 2023, as part of the museum's 50th-anniversary celebration. It was originally planned to run through until Jan. 7 of this year.
A set of event-specific branded collectibles was announced alongside the launch of the exhibition, including six exclusive cards depicting Pokémons drawn in the style of Van Gogh.
The most coveted out of the bunch was the "Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat" card, which requires the completion of a scavenger hunt activity within the museum before it can be redeemed. Additionally, only one copy of the card can be obtained per admission ticket.
Trouble started when the gift shop of the museum, containing the event exclusives, devolved into disarray on the opening day as patrons were recorded charging the cashier. Merchandise was sold out in just a day.
Similarly, tickets to the exhibition were completely depleted weeks ahead of the show.
By October, the museum pulled out the offer for the highly-coveted "Pikachu" card and cited the unmanageably rowdy patrons alongside flippers selling the cards on eBay as the reason.
