Dutch museum floor covered in peanut butter in honor of late artist

The Boijimans van Beuningen Museum in Rotterdam is currently showcasing a unique posthumous artwork by the late Dutch artist Wim T. Schippers, titled "Peanut Butter Floor." Schippers, who passed away at 83 on June 10, was a prominent figure in Dutch art and media, recognized for his work in the Fluxus movement and as the voice of characters like Kermit the Frog in the Dutch version of "Sesame Street."

The "Peanut Butter Floor" artwork, originally conceived in 1962 and first exhibited in 1969, has become one of Schippers' most recognized pieces. Before his death, Schippers meticulously prepared instructions for its posthumous display. These guidelines are now presented alongside the installation at the museum, detailing the precise method: 15.6 kilograms of smooth peanut butter must be spread evenly and "monotonously" across every square meter of the gallery floor.

Visitors are strictly prohibited from walking on or eating from the installation, emphasizing its status as a conceptual piece rather than an interactive one. Schippers' artistic legacy extends beyond this work, encompassing a diverse range of provocative and often humorous projects. These include a large sculpture of dog feces, a play performed by German Shepherds, and an experiment involving levitating a stone with electromagnets.

Museum director Sandra Kisters likened Schippers' impact in the Netherlands to that of the Monty Python troupe, noting his belief that "life and art are always simultaneously completely serious and completely not serious." This duality is reflected in "Peanut Butter Floor," which can be seen as both utterly absurd and brilliantly thought-provoking, a testament to an artist who challenged conventional perceptions of art and life.