The museum masterpiece was trashed! See how a simple mistake by a lift mechanic led to an unthinkable blunder
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In a rather comical mix-up that could have been a scene straight out of a sitcom, a Dutch lift mechanic inadvertently threw away a piece of art, mistaking it for rubbish. The incident, which occurred at the LAM museum in Lisse, Netherlands, serves as a reminder that one person's trash can indeed be another's treasure, especially in the world of modern art.
The artwork in question, a 1988 creation by Alexandre Lavet titled 'All the good times we spent together,' is composed of two dented aluminium tins hand-painted with acrylics to mimic the appearance of discarded beer cans. The piece was strategically placed inside the museum's glass lift shaft, a spot that cleverly suggested construction workers left them behind. This intentional placement was part of the artwork's charm but also set the stage for the unfortunate misunderstanding.
The lift technician, who was filling in for the regular technician more familiar with the museum's collection, assumed the cans were debris left by workers and promptly disposed of them. It was when curator Elisah van den Bergh noticed the missing cans that the museum staff realised what had happened. After a frantic search, the cans were found in a bin bag, thankfully before they were permanently lost to the garbage heap.
The museum's response to this blunder was gracious and understanding. They acknowledged that the technician was simply doing his job and that no blame would be placed on him. In fact, the museum director, Sietske van Zanten, suggested that the incident was a testament to the effectiveness of Lavet's art, which aims to challenge perceptions of everyday objects.
Following the mishap, the cans were cleaned and given a new, more prominent home on a plinth at the museum's entrance. This move was not only to prevent future confusion but also to give the artwork its deserved 'moment in the spotlight,' as van den Bergh put it. Lavet's piece, which symbolises the importance of shared memories and experiences, even those as seemingly trivial as enjoying a couple of beers with friends, now had a story of its own to tell.
The LAM museum, which focuses on the theme of food and consumption, uses art to encourage visitors to see everyday objects in a new light. By placing artworks in unexpected locations, the museum aims to enhance visitor experience and keep them engaged and curious.
This story is a fascinating example of how art can intersect with daily life in the most unexpected ways. It also serves as a reminder to all of us, especially those of us who appreciate the nuances of art and history, to look twice before we leap to conclusions about what may or may not be valuable.
So, dear readers of the Seniors Discount Club, have you ever encountered a situation where something ordinary turned out to be extraordinary? Or perhaps you've heard of similar amusing art mix-ups? Share your stories with us in the comments below, and let's celebrate the quirky side of art and life's little surprises!
The artwork in question, a 1988 creation by Alexandre Lavet titled 'All the good times we spent together,' is composed of two dented aluminium tins hand-painted with acrylics to mimic the appearance of discarded beer cans. The piece was strategically placed inside the museum's glass lift shaft, a spot that cleverly suggested construction workers left them behind. This intentional placement was part of the artwork's charm but also set the stage for the unfortunate misunderstanding.
The lift technician, who was filling in for the regular technician more familiar with the museum's collection, assumed the cans were debris left by workers and promptly disposed of them. It was when curator Elisah van den Bergh noticed the missing cans that the museum staff realised what had happened. After a frantic search, the cans were found in a bin bag, thankfully before they were permanently lost to the garbage heap.
An artwork by Alexandre Lavet was mistakenly thrown away by a Dutch lift mechanic, who thought it was rubbish. Credit: Shutterstock
The museum's response to this blunder was gracious and understanding. They acknowledged that the technician was simply doing his job and that no blame would be placed on him. In fact, the museum director, Sietske van Zanten, suggested that the incident was a testament to the effectiveness of Lavet's art, which aims to challenge perceptions of everyday objects.
Following the mishap, the cans were cleaned and given a new, more prominent home on a plinth at the museum's entrance. This move was not only to prevent future confusion but also to give the artwork its deserved 'moment in the spotlight,' as van den Bergh put it. Lavet's piece, which symbolises the importance of shared memories and experiences, even those as seemingly trivial as enjoying a couple of beers with friends, now had a story of its own to tell.
The LAM museum, which focuses on the theme of food and consumption, uses art to encourage visitors to see everyday objects in a new light. By placing artworks in unexpected locations, the museum aims to enhance visitor experience and keep them engaged and curious.
This story is a fascinating example of how art can intersect with daily life in the most unexpected ways. It also serves as a reminder to all of us, especially those of us who appreciate the nuances of art and history, to look twice before we leap to conclusions about what may or may not be valuable.
