Rotterdam museum unveils installation made from 360 kg of peanut butter

The Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam has opened an installation made from 360 kilograms of peanut butter in tribute to Dutch artist Wim T. Schippers, The Guardian reports.

The work, titled Pindakaasvloer (“Peanut Butter Floor”), was originally created by Schippers in 1962 and first exhibited in 1969.

According to instructions left by the artist, 15.6 kilograms of low-fat peanut butter must be applied to each square meter of floor space and spread as evenly as possible.

“Peanut butter floor still raises questions like, is this art? Am I allowed to like this?” Sandra Kisters, the acting director of Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, said. “And it is this sense of bewilderment that makes this piece so special. We regard it as a great honour to be able to present this unique artwork in his memory.’’

Born in Groningen as Willem Theodoor Schippers, the artist became one of the Netherlands’ most distinctive cultural figures. His Dadaist humor and fascination with the absurd left a lasting impact that extended well beyond the traditional sphere of museums and galleries.

During the installation’s previous display at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in 2011, an unsuspecting visitor stepped onto the peanut butter-covered surface and slipped, causing damage to the artwork. The incident prompted visitors to submit 648 questions about the piece, all of which Schippers answered in writing.

The exhibition will remain on display through September 6. To mark the occasion, the museum’s restaurant is offering a peanut butter sandwich on its menu, with optional toppings including cheese and spicy sambal.

By Jeyhun Aghazada