An artwork that looks like two empty beer cans in the Dutch LAM museum was accidentally thrown away by a mechanic working in the building who mistook it for rubbish.
At first glance, the work – titled 'All The Good Times We Spent Together' by French artist Alexandre Lavet – seems like two dented left-behind beer cans. However, those looking more closely will see that the empty cans are actually hand-painted with precision, using acrylic paint.
"These paintings are a tribute to Brussels streets, artists' studios, friends' flats, parties, exhibition openings at galleries and artist-run spaces, and to this common and familiar object who brings people and friends together," according to the artist's website.
'Just did his job'
The artwork is not "a ready-made or objet trouvé like Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven and Marcel Duchamp's famous urinal," but a work that "actually takes a lot of time," the museum said.
The LAM museum does not only present its international art collection on walls or plinths, but often opts for rather unexpected places to keep visitors on their toes. "We let you take a special look at everyday things through art. Presenting the artworks differently enhances that effect. You are surprised time and again," said museum director Sietske van Zanten.
Alexandre Lavet's cans were in the museum's glass lift shaft, as if they had been left behind there during construction. Van Zanten stressed that the museum does not blame the lift mechanic. "He just did his job in good conscience. It is actually a compliment to artist Alexandre Lavet."
Exhibition view in the glass elevator of LAM, Lisse (NL). Artwork: Alexandre Lavet
When the museum's curator, Elisah Van den Bergh, returned from a short break, she noticed that the cans had vanished and recovered them from a bin bag just before they were to be thrown out.
Now, the museum put the work on a plinth in "a temporary place of honour" at the entrance. "To put the work in the spotlight," Van den Bergh explained.
Where the work will be presented afterwards remains a surprise. "No place is unthinkable for us. We like to continue to amaze visitors."
