Museum Worker Mistakenly Throws Away “Beer Can” Artwork

A museum worker in the Netherlands accidentally discarded a piece of artwork that was designed to look like two empty beer cans. The artwork, titled “All the good times we spent together” by French artist Alexandre Lavet, was displayed in a glass lift shaft, intentionally mimicking a construction site, CNN reports.

The LAM Museum, known for its unconventional displays, explained that the artist used meticulous detail to paint the cans with acrylics, symbolizing “cherished memories shared with dear friends.” Despite its realism, the worker, covering for the regular technician, mistook the artwork for actual trash.

Fortunately, the cans were salvaged from the trash bag, intact and only slightly soiled. They were cleaned and placed on a traditional plinth at the museum entrance, drawing attention to the humorous incident.

“We wanted to give them their moment in the spotlight,” said curator Elisah van den Bergh. “We enjoy surprising our visitors, so no space is off-limits.”

This incident follows a similar case last year when a visitor to a gallery in Seoul, South Korea, ate a banana duct-taped to a wall, a famous artwork by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan titled “Comedian.”

The LAM Museum, however, takes the mishap in stride, saying that they bear no ill will towards the worker. They’re currently unsure where the “beer can” artwork will be displayed next.