Rotterdam Museum Recreates Wim T. Schippers’ Peanut Butter Floor

A museum in the Netherlands has coated a gallery floor with more than 800 pounds of peanut butter to honour Dutch artist Wim T. Schippers, who died last month at age 83. The quantity used could make approximately 15,000 sandwiches.

Schippers introduced the conceptual piece, named Pindakaasvloer, meaning peanut butter floor, in 1969. Its latest presentation opened at the Depot, a satellite location of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in the port city of Rotterdam, where it will remain on display for two months.

Known in the Netherlands as a popular figure who rejected convention, Schippers produced playful, absurdist creations that questioned established definitions of art. His other work included providing the Dutch voices of Ernie and Kermit the Frog for Sesame Street.

Pindakaasvloer formed part of his Floor Covering Series. Other installations in that collection transformed floors using broken pieces of glass and salt.

For many people viewing the peanut butter installation in person, its most memorable feature is the scent, which evokes morning meals and packed lunches. At the opening, museum employees told guests to “follow the smell”. The aroma had travelled as far as the ticket desk, located three levels beneath the artwork.