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Lift technician mistakes LAM museum artwork for rubbish and disposes of it

Lift technician mistakes LAM museum artwork for rubbish and disposes of it

1 October 2024

By Froukje

An artwork was recently discovered in a rubbish bin at the LAM museum in Lisse, where it had been thrown away by a lift technician who mistook it for abandoned litter. The piece, created by French artist Alexandre Lavet, consists of two meticulously hand-painted beer cans.

A night

with friends

The artwork All the good times we spent together by Alexandre Lavet (1988) initially appears to be nothing more than two empty beer cans. However, a closer look reveals that these dented cans were meticulously hand-painted with acrylics, with each detail painstakingly replicated. Unlike ready-made found objects, such as the famous urinal by Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven and Marcel Duchamp, Lavet’s piece required a lot of time and effort to create. For the artist, the cans symbolise cherished memories shared with dear friends. While evenings spent enjoying drinks may seem trivial in the grand scheme of things, they ultimately embody precious moments of connection.

Art

in unexpected places

The LAM museum is renowned for showcasing its international art collection not only on walls and exhibition plinths but also in unconventional locations. Alexandre Lavet’s beer cans were exhibited inside the museum’s glass lift shaft, as if left behind by construction workers.
“The theme of our collection is food and consumption”, says Sietske van Zanten, the museum’s director. “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.”

New

lift technician

The museum bears no ill will towards the lift technician who made the mistake. He was covering for the museum’s regular technician, who is well acquainted with the building and its exhibits. “He was just doing his job in good faith”, says Sietske van Zanten. “In a way, it’s a testament to the effectiveness of Alexandre Lavet’s art.”

From bin bag

to museum display

A thorough search was launched when the curator realised the cans were missing. Curator Elisah van den Bergh eventually discovered the artwork in a bin bag, ready for disposal. Miraculously, both cans were found intact. They have been cleaned and temporarily put in a place of honour at the museum entrance, now displayed on a traditional plinth.
“We wanted to give them their moment in the spotlight”, explains Elisah van den Bergh. As for where the artwork will be displayed next, that’s yet to be revealed. “We enjoy surprising our visitors, so no space is off-limits.”

Froukje
About the author
The LAM museum
freshen your mind
Froukje works as Head of Communications for the LAM museum. She collaborates on strategy, maintains contacts with the press & media, and tries to get you just as excited about the museum's unique concept as she is. 'I find joy in artworks that give you a Eureka moment. Artworks that open the windows in your mind and freshen things up.'

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Collection

What’s there

to see?

The LAM museum’s collection includes 3D images, art installations, paintings, sound art and digital art. That sounds like a lot (it is!). But there’s method in the madness: each work focuses on food, drink or shopping. Did we mention the LAM museum has the world’s largest collection of food art?

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Alexandre Lavet
Ana Navas
Kira Fröse
Tom Putman
Stijn Rietman
John Yuyi

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Tips from our Viewing Coaches

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Snack happiness at the estate

In September 2022, irresistible XXL French fries trays from theater company Tryater stood around the LAM museum. The fries were left out so you could relax in them.

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Activities

What can you

do?

The LAM museum adds spice and sparkle to every visit. Ready for a brain-teasing picture hunt or a fun game? Can you get a full house on your own personal bingo card? Or maybe you want to tingle your tastebuds? Our surprise activities are designed to change not only your perspective on the art you see but also on the life you live.
Viewing Coaches

Who will you

meet?

The LAM museum’s Viewing Coaches bring every work of art to life and make every visitor’s experience special.

They give you tips. They help you change your perspective. And they are ready to listen if you want to talk about what you’ve discovered or how the art has inspired or impacted you.
Viewing Coaches

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Floortje
Corine
Ben
Debby
Nina
Gus

The LAM museum building itself

is arguably part of the collection

Some visitors say it’s the best work of art at the LAM museum. Designed by Arie Korbee, the raised museum looks right at home in the canopy.

A simply special

museum experience

We can talk the talk. But the only words that matter are yours. Here’s what you have to say about us.
Claudia PetersClaudia Peters
11:47 30 Oct 23
Zo leuk. Mooi gebouw onder architectuur, gevarieerd aanbod, lekker fleurig. Ik... blijf mij positief verrassen. Ga hier vaker heen. Aansluitend met een wandeling door het bos.read more
Peter DijtPeter Dijt
17:57 29 Oct 23
Goed museum van 'Dirk' over.... (ik zal het niet verklappen) past ook niet in... de stijl van het museum. Geen infobordjes aan de muren, maar met de aardige kijkcoaches kom je een eind. Start met de lift omhoog naar de derde etage en loop rustig terug. Prima.Er is geen horeca. Maar vlakbij is er het cafetaria van kasteel Keukenhof.read more
Arthur van den BoornArthur van den Boorn
08:32 29 Oct 23
Erg leuk museum met verrassende kunst in een leuke omgeving. Top voor kids
Pennie Arbouw-HeimansPennie Arbouw-Heimans
06:55 29 Oct 23
Wat een verrassing! En zulke fijne gezellige hosts waar je een heerlijk gesprek... over kunst mee kan aangaan en die echt geïnteresseerd in je zijn en tijd voor je hebben! Aanrader, we gaan zeker weer n keer mini vakantie-een (ook voor t gebouw en de omgeving: dikke aanrader).read more
Corrie LoogmanCorrie Loogman
14:17 23 Oct 23
Prachtig modern gebouw met veel licht. Een heldere uitleg bij binnenkomst over... de collectie en de unieke wijze waarop bezoekers antwoord kunnen krijgen op vragen.Op de verschillende verdiepingen waren kijkcoaches die enthousiast en kundig uitleg gaven.Een aanrader.read more
naomi plaatnaomi plaat
21:04 28 Sep 23
Veelzijdig, verrassend en gewoon leuk - voor iedereen!Prachtig museum,... vriendelijk ontvangst, prettige sfeer, en veelzijdige collectie.Interactie met de kijkcoaches is een unieke toegevoegde waarde. Toegang is spotgoedkoop dus hebben wij extra sponsor bedrag gegeven.Mooi park met ook een kasteel, bloementuin en weiland, beelden en restaurant de hofboerderij.Heerlijke middag gehad in Lisse.Makkelijk en gratis parkeren. Schone toiletten. Kluisjes. Vooraf tijdslot reserveren is wel handig.read more
Jelle WestraJelle Westra
15:06 27 Sep 23
Geweldig leuk museum! Geen hoogdraverij, maar aansprekende eigentijdse... kunstwerken die je verrassen en intrigeren. Prima app om meer te weten te komen over de kunstwerken. Maar nog leuker is het om in gesprek te raken met de verschillende enthousiaste medewerkers die overal rondlopen. Als je de tijd hebt kun je hier makkelijk 1 a 2 uur rondbrengen. Het is een prachtig gebouw in een mooie groene setting waar je leuk kunt wandelen.read more
Neeltje van der WoudenNeeltje van der Wouden
13:17 18 Sep 23
Het LAMmuseum is een verborgen parel! Wat een prachtige collectie in een licht... modern gebouw op een geweldig mooi landgoed. Een warm welkom bij binnenkomst en je word in iedere zaal vriendelijk en op verfrissende wijze te woord gestaan door de Kijkcoaches. Hier gaat het om anders en écht kijken. Wat doet de kunst met mij? Dat levert interessante en inspirerende gesprekken op! Een aanrader voor jong en oud!read more
Richard WeringRichard Wering
06:54 22 Jul 23
Het is een fantastisch museum. De medewerkers doen hun best om met jou de... kunst te beleven. We hadden inspirerende gesprekken over kunst. Je voelt je welkom.De kunst is van hoge kwaliteit, zeer goede kunstwerken soms van belangrijke kunstenaars. De keuze van het werk heeft als thema voedsel of de consumptiemaatschappij. Het is toegankelijke kunst, die je toch aan het denken zet. Anders doen de medewerkers of de interactieve app het wel.Niet twijfelen gewoon gaan ervaren.read more
Claudia PetersClaudia Peters
11:47 30 Oct 23
So funny. Beautiful architectural building, varied offering, nice and colorful.... I continue to be positively surprised. Go here more often. Followed by a walk through the forest.read more
Pennie Arbouw-HeimansPennie Arbouw-Heimans
06:55 29 Oct 23
What a surprise! And such wonderful, friendly hosts with whom you can have a... wonderful conversation about art and who are really interested in you and have time for you! Recommended, we will definitely go for a mini holiday again (also for the building and the surrounding area: highly recommended).read more
Willem JanssenWillem Janssen
17:02 28 Sep 23
LAM is a beautiful museum with a wonderful, modern art collection around the... theme of food. The approach of the "spectator coaches" is great, you learn a lot more than usual, and you have to ask the right questions. The visit to LAM takes a good hour and if you add the sculpture garden two hours. We came with a group of 22 and we were split into three groups (maximum of 10 people can enter at a time). Everyone enjoyed it and the rest of the day we kept on talking about what we had seen.read more
Liz NixonLiz Nixon
11:50 15 Aug 23
Great museum, very friendly and helpful staff. The current expo themed around... food showing all sorts of weird and wonderful items, and being able to sample some of the icecream afterwards was a treat.Set in the beautiful location of Keukenhof Castle, you can go for a walk around the gardens while you are there. I will definitely visit again.read more
Madzia KoseńczukMadzia Koseńczuk
06:32 20 Jun 23
Very unique museum ? based on consumerism. Each artwork is amazing and worth... thinking of ?read more
Maarten de GrootMaarten de Groot
20:07 08 Apr 23
Awesome museum! It starts with the beautifully architecture of the building,... but then the central theme of food & consumption, the very visually appealing art and the whole concept of "just walk around and have a chat with us, or we with you" instead of endless signs turns this into an experience that myself and my 4 year old son absolutely loved!read more
marceline suijsmarceline suijs
17:07 09 Jan 23
Very interesting art. A mixed collection with something to everybody’s liking.... I love the way there are no signs and you have to connect with the museum staff if you want to know more about the art. Like with the artwork, you connect easier with some than others, so also on a social level very interesting. A place for everybody!read more
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at the LAM museum

They say everyone has a soulmate, someone with whom you have a deep connection. We think art also has the power to connect. Our connections not only run deep but also taste great.

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News

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