Vincent van Gogh loved Japan, and Japanese prints were one of his main sources of inspiration offering him a different view of the world.
The Van Gogh Museum cherishes this cultural exchange with Japan, where the Olympic and Paralympic Games will begin at the end of this month. The museum is the only Dutch cultural institution taking part in the TeamNL Tokyo Expo, a digital platform combining sports, culture and business.
More than sports
The Olympic and Paralympic Games are about more than just sports. The Games are a perfect example of cooperation and knowledge sharing between countries.
The TeamNL Tokyo Expo aims at connecting sports and business in the run-up to and during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The business platform, made possible by Papendal, NOC*NSF and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offers Dutch innovations and initiatives the opportunity to organise online events for and to stimulate (international) business.
Van Gogh and Japan
During a livestream at the TeamNL Expo on Friday 9 July, Van Gogh Museum researcher Bregje Gerritse will talk about the influence of Japanese prints on the work of Vincent van Gogh.
He and his brother Theo were great admirers and keen collectors of these prints, called ukiyo-e. Van Gogh’s artwork changed dramatically under the influence of the characteristic style of these colourful pictures.
In addition, researcher Joost van der Hoeven and Olympic athletes Candy Jacobs and Keet Oldenbeuving will make a sporty contribution to the livestream. Their sport skateboarding is an Olympic discipline for the first time.
To view the livestream on Friday 9 July 2021 from 10 - 11 AM (CEST), please register on the Team TeamNL Tokyo Expo website.
Innovation Parade
Besides the livestream, the Van Gogh Museum will also be featured in the TeamNL Tokyo Expo Innovation Parade. This ‘parade’ will be presented as a virtual pop-up book offering examples of the innovative ways of collaboration between Japan and the Netherlands.
The Van Gogh Museum will highlight its special collaboration with Fujifilm, which has developed a unique technique for making 3D reproductions of Van Gogh’s artworks.
The reproductions are of such high quality that they come very close to the original work. These Museum Editions are used for educational purposes in schools and during workshops, and are also available to buy. Every purchase supports the Van Gogh Museum.
Once registered, you can view the story of the collaboration between the Van Gogh Museum and Fujifilm as part of the TeamNL Expo Innovation Parade.