Beer Can Artwork Accidentally Thrown Away by Staff Member at Dutch Museum
An intriguing artwork resembling a pair of empty beer cans had a narrow escape from being discarded after being mistaken for rubbish and thrown into the bin at a Dutch museum. The artwork, known as “All The Good Times We Spent Together” and curated by French artist Alexandre Lavet, was on display in a glass lift at the Lisser Art Museum. Unfortunately, a lift mechanic confused the piece for abandoned junk and disposed of it in the trash can, the museum revealed. The painted cans were intentionally crafted with dents to mimic real discarded cans.
Symbolizing “precious moments with friends” from evenings of shared drinks and bonding, the artwork required significant time and effort to create, according to the museum. The museum chose to present the work in the lift to surprise visitors, with director Sietske van Zanten explaining her philosophy of not displaying art collection in conventional places like walls or pedestals. She stated, “The theme of our art collection is food and consumption. We let you look at everyday things in a special way through art. By presenting the works of art differently, that effect is increased. You are surprised time and time again.”
Despite the intention behind the placement, the surprise element was lost on the lift mechanic who discarded the artwork. After curator Elisah van den Bergh noticed the cans missing upon returning from a brief break, a search ensued leading to the discovery of the cans in a garbage bag about to be disposed of. Luckily, the museum managed to retrieve the cans, which remained intact after some cleaning, the institution confirmed.
The rescued beer can artwork is now temporarily exhibited at the entrance of the museum and has been positioned on a classic pedestal to highlight the piece, as informed by the curator. In a gracious gesture, the director absolved the elevator mechanic of responsibility, praising his actions as inadvertently paying a compliment to artist Alexandre Lavet. “He did his job to the best of his ability,” the director acknowledged.
The unexpected incident not only underscores the value and uniqueness of contemporary art but also serves as a lesson in the appreciation and interpretation of art in unconventional settings.