In Rotterdam, the Kunsthal Museum does not have a permanent collection, but instead organizes various temporary exhibits. Recently, ‘Pet’s Markplaats’ opened in which artist Pet van de Luijtgaarden shows his passion for collecting. With an addiction to one of Netherlands most popular websites, he buys up collections of caps, porcelain, pencil sharpeners, disposable lighters, action dolls and milk bottle tops. Sometimes he’ll drive all over the country to buy something. Pet asked his peers to “adopt” a collection and use it in their own discipline, which resulted in a number of interesting sculptures and images that became part of the new exhibit. For van de Luijtgaarden, he has always been fascinated by the absurdity of ‘stuff’. “Shops are getting larger and fuller, but what do we need it all for?” As an artist, his intention is to show that when people collect, it never stops, it will just get worse and worse. All of his ‘stuff’ has been neatly arranged on the floor and display cases to create modern day cabinets of curiosities.
Kunsthal Museum, Rotterdam, Netherlands
