Dutch museum staff threw the -2 empty beer cans- into the trash can without knowing they were works of art

Recently, the LAM Museum in the Netherlands showcased a piece by French artist Alexandre Lavet, titled “All The Good Times We Spent Together.” At first glance, the artwork appears to be two discarded dented beer cans, leading a staff member to mistakenly toss it into the trash, though fortunately, it was recovered just in time.

The Guardian reported that while Lavet’s work might look like trash at first, a closer inspection reveals intricate hand-painted designs that required significant time and effort to create.

Currently displayed in an elevator at LAM Museum, the artwork went unnoticed when it was thrown away by a new staff member. It was not until curator Elisah van den Bergh returned from vacation and realized the beer cans were missing that the situation came to light, thankfully allowing for their retrieval from the garbage bag.

Froukje Budding, a spokesperson for the museum, commented on their practice of showcasing artwork in unconventional places, stating, “We always try to surprise our visitors.” Following this incident, however, the piece has been moved to a traditional pedestal to prevent any similar occurrences in the future. Budding emphasized that the museum holds no ill will towards the new employee, saying, “He was just doing his job.”

Museum director Sietske van Zanten also encouraged people to “look at everyday objects from a new perspective,” noting that by displaying art in unexpected locations, they can enhance the experience for visitors. While the beer cans might not remain on their pedestal for long, the museum is actively considering a more suitable display location.

This incident isn’t isolated; in 2023, a piece of installation art involving a banana taped to a wall was eaten by a man during an exhibition. In 2011, an overly enthusiastic cleaner mistakenly scrubbed away a modern artwork valued at £690,000 (approximately NT$29 million), thinking it was a stain.