The meter-high statue of Vincent van Gogh, which disappeared from its pedestal in Assen on December 12, is back in its place. New Year’s Eve association De Oliebol from Vledder had stolen it. They placed a sign where the statue stood with the text: ‘I was surprised last night, I am now standing somewhere else with my brush.’
The New Year’s Eve association wanted to link the stunt to a theme. “And this year we thought: we should pay tribute to our craftsmen in Vledder,” explains Tim de Rooij of De Oliebol. “That’s how we ended up with Vincent van Gogh.”
The Vaart business association in Assen was not happy with it at all. “Vincent is not always there, of course. He is part of the exhibition and the Vincent van Gogh experience: the route through the city center,” says Kjeld Vosjan, city center architect. “We communicate that everywhere. So we have also had disappointed reactions. People said: where is Vincent?”
The business association filed a report. “That partly has to do with possible damage, insurance, and things like that. But it is mainly a gesture. A joke is nice, but also consider carefully what the consequences are.”
And although they at De Oliebol understand that Assen had to wait a long time for Vincent, the New Year’s Eve association sees it all a little differently. “It has generated a lot of publicity, also for the art route here and for the Vincent van Gogh exhibition. So I think that is also a bonus for them in this case.”
“And we have treated the statue very carefully. It is certainly not damaged. So I hope, or secretly assume, that the report will be withdrawn.” The men discuss whether this actually happens after a while while enjoying a cup of coffee.
And then that one pressing question: how could Vincent be kidnapped unnoticed? “Yes, we get that question a lot, because it is of course really big. But that is our secret, so we will never tell. What I can tell you is that we were very fast. We were on our way again within 5 minutes to Vledder.”
Vincent will only shine at the Kop van de Vaart for a while, because the exhibition in the Drents Museum lasts until January 7.