A museum in Rotterdam, Netherlands, has honored the late Dutch artist Wim T. Schippers by covering its floor in enough peanut butter to make 15,000 sandwiches. The tribute, held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at the Kunsthal Rotterdam, celebrates Schippers' legacy as a conceptual artist known for his unconventional works.
Peanut Butter as Art
Schippers, who died last month, was famous for his 1962 concept piece titled "Peanut Butter Floor," which proposed covering a museum floor with peanut butter but was never realized during his lifetime. The Kunsthal Rotterdam finally executed the work posthumously, using 1,200 kilograms of peanut butter spread across the gallery floor. Museum officials stated that the installation was meant to be both a tribute and a sensory experience, allowing visitors to smell and see the peanut butter as part of the art.
According to the museum, the peanut butter used could make approximately 15,000 sandwiches. Visitors were allowed to walk on the peanut butter floor, which was protected by a thin plastic sheet to prevent mess, but the scent permeated the gallery. The installation is part of a larger exhibition exploring Schippers' influence on Dutch conceptual art.
Reactions and Impact
"It's a sticky situation, but one that perfectly captures Wim's playful and provocative spirit," said a museum spokesperson in a statement. "He challenged what art could be, and this floor is a testament to his enduring creativity." The exhibition runs through August 2026, drawing crowds curious to experience the unusual tribute.
The peanut butter floor has generated significant media attention and public interest, with many visitors posting photos and videos on social media. Some critics have questioned the use of food in art, but the museum defended the choice, noting that the peanut butter would be donated to a local food bank after the exhibition ends.
