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April 14, 2015
Master Painter Vincent van Gogh Collaborates with Bugaboo | Bugaboo
Bugaboo
Master Painter Vincent van Gogh Collaborates with Bugaboo
Timeless Masterpieces Reimagined as Strollers (1)
Bugaboo, the Dutch mobility brand, has collaborated with the Van Gogh Museum to unveil a stroller collection inspired by the works of master painter Vincent van Gogh. To commemorate this collaboration, a special one-night-only dinner was held at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, inviting press from around the world.
Text by Winsome Li (OPENERS)
Where Timeless Dutch Talents Intersect
In early February, a special dinner was hosted at the Van Gogh Museum for international press. The museum's ground floor, set with a long dinner table, was adorned with almond blossoms, the theme of the collaboration. Amidst an artistic and mystical atmosphere, a series of dishes inspired by Van Gogh's works were served. It was a delightful evening, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in Van Gogh's world while conversing with Willem van Gogh, the great-nephew of the artist. And the star of this special night was the Bugaboo stroller.
Bugaboo actively collaborates with the art world, consistently producing artistic strollers. They have embodied the diverse worlds of young Dutch artist Bas Kosters and pop art pioneer Andy Warhol into mobile art. This time, their collaborator is one of the world's most influential painters, Vincent van Gogh. His masterpiece, 'Almond Blossom,' is depicted on the 'Bugaboo Bee³,' a best-selling model in Japan. This collaboration was realized to celebrate a special year, marking Bugaboo's 15th anniversary and the 125th anniversary of Van Gogh's passing.
Since its inception, Bugaboo has continuously revolutionized the parenting lifestyle.
"To be innovative is to choose a path no one expects. Even if you don't have the understanding of those around you, you must stick to your vision," asserts Max Barenbrug, the founder of Bugaboo, who became a product designer at the age of 27.
Meanwhile, Van Gogh also decided to become a painter at the age of 27. Despite facing continuous setbacks in his artistic career, Van Gogh never abandoned his dream. Although his talent was not recognized during his lifetime, he poured his passion into creating paintings, producing numerous masterpieces with a unique style that transcended the limitations of the "Impressionist" movement of his time.
Indeed, what Bugaboo and Van Gogh share is a perfectionism that cherishes every detail, pursues dreams with unwavering passion, and never loses sight of their goals. It seems that the meeting of these two Dutch talents was truly a destined event.
Celebrating New Life: The 'Bugaboo Bee³ + Van Gogh'
In the mere five years before his death, Van Gogh produced over 700 works, leaving behind a multitude of masterpieces. The choice of 'Almond Blossom' as the theme for this collaboration holds profound meaning. In 1890, when Van Gogh's brother Theo and his wife Johanna welcomed their first child, Van Gogh created 'Almond Blossom' to celebrate the birth of his nephew. At the time, Van Gogh was suffering from mental illness and was staying at a sanatorium in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. He depicted the almond trees in full bloom in February under a clear blue sky, portraying the beginning of new life in a serene landscape, set in Provence during early spring. The concept of 'Almond Blossom,' imbued with a wish to celebrate a newborn baby and their bright future, perfectly aligned with Bugaboo's strollers.
Incidentally, 'Almond Blossom' is also one of the works that reveals the relationship between Van Gogh and Japanese Ukiyo-e. In the latter half of the 19th century, European Impressionist painters were greatly inspired by Japanese Ukiyo-e. Van Gogh, who was staying in Paris at the time, was also influenced by Ukiyo-e and incorporated elements of it into his own works. The bold outlines of the branches and the daring composition that crops parts of the tree are evident, as the almond blossoms beautifully bloom across the entire canvas.
Bugaboo
Master Painter Vincent van Gogh Collaborates with Bugaboo
Timeless Masterpieces Reimagined as Strollers (2)
Text by Winsome Li (OPENERS)
Details That Fully Capture the Essence of the Artwork
While previous Bugaboo collaboration strollers incorporated parts of artworks into their designs, the 'Bugaboo Bee³ + Van Gogh' marks the first time the entire painting has been reproduced on the sun canopy. Furthermore, to faithfully express the glossy texture of the canvas, Bugaboo has adopted a satin material for the sun canopy for the first time. The silky smooth satin fabric is printed with almond branches and the white blossoms that adorn them. The stroller's chassis and faux leather handle are finished in a lustrous green that matches the color of the almond branches.
Regarding this collaboration, Max Barenbrug, founder and chief designer of Bugaboo, stated, "While designing from Bugaboo's perspective, I believe there is great value in creating different Bugaboo concepts through the eyes of other creators. I love Van Gogh's work, and as he is also from the Netherlands, I feel a unique and special connection. Moreover, I feel that the dedication of creators and the hardships they experience are similar to Van Gogh's."
Willem van Gogh, great-nephew of the artist and advisor to the Van Gogh Museum, commented on the initiative with Bugaboo: "The reason we approached them is that Bugaboo is a leading global design brand from the Netherlands, forging new paths with an innovative spirit, much like Van Gogh. The fact that we both chose 'Almond Blossom' as the theme for this collaboration from the outset feels like destiny."
The 'Bugaboo Bee³ + Van Gogh Collection' will be available in limited quantities at select retailers starting in April, with a planned release in Japan around late April.
'Bugaboo Bee³ + Van Gogh' Collection
Bugaboo Bee³ Complete Van Gogh (Set includes chassis, seat, and sun canopy)
Price | ¥105,732
Bugaboo Bee³ Bassinet Tailored Fabric Set Van Gogh
Price | ¥15,444
Bugaboo Footmuff Van Gogh
Price | ¥19,980
Bugaboo Bee³ Breezy Sun Canopy Van Gogh
Price | ¥14,310
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