Lift technician throws away art mistaken for trash

A museum in the Netherlands recently experienced an unfortunate mishap when a lift technician mistakenly threw away a piece of artwork made to resemble two empty beer cans. The artwork, titled “All the good times we spent together” by French artist Alexandre Lavet, was designed to look like discarded cans but was, in fact, a meticulously crafted and hand-painted piece.

The incident took place at the LAM Museum in Lisse, about 19 miles from Amsterdam. According to the museum’s statement, the technician was temporarily covering for the regular staff and likely did not realize that the cans, which were displayed in a glass lift shaft, were part of the collection. The artwork’s placement gave the impression that the cans were left behind by construction workers, contributing to the confusion.

Symbolism in everyday objects

The LAM Museum, which focuses on themes of food and consumption, is known for displaying art in unconventional locations. The beer cans, painted with acrylics to painstakingly replicate every detail, were meant to symbolize cherished memories shared with friends over drinks. The museum emphasized that these seemingly trivial moments can represent important connections.

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Sietske van Zanten, the museum’s director, explained in a statement, “Our art encourages visitors to see everyday objects in a new light. By displaying artworks in unexpected places, we amplify this experience and keep visitors on their toes.”

Artwork recovered and displayed

Fortunately, the artwork was recovered intact from a trash bag and was cleaned before being placed on a more traditional display. Museum curator Elisah van den Bergh commented, “We wanted to give them their moment in the spotlight,” referring to the decision to showcase the cans at the museum’s entrance. The museum clarified that no ill will was held toward the technician, who they said was acting in good faith. “In a way, it’s a testament to the effectiveness of Alexandre Lavet’s art,” van Zanten added.

Modern art mishaps

This incident highlights the often misunderstood nature of modern art, where everyday objects can be reimagined as significant works. It’s reminiscent of a similar event in 2023 when a visitor at a gallery in Seoul ate an artwork consisting of a banana duct-taped to a wall. That artwork, “Comedian” by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, gained viral attention after selling for $120,000 at Art Basel in Miami Beach in 2019.

In Lavet’s case, the accidental disposal of the beer can artwork only reinforces the idea that art can be hiding in plain sight, waiting to be noticed—or mistaken for trash.