A cleaner has mistakenly thrown away contemporary artworks meant to be part of an exhibition in southern Italy.
Works made out of newspaper and cardboard, and cookie pieces scattered across the floor as part of Sala Murat's display were thrown out.
Lorenzo Roca, from cleaning firm Chiarissima, said the unnamed cleaner was "just doing her job".
He added his firm's insurance would cover the value of the art, estimated to be around 10,000 euros (£8,200).
According to local press, security noticed a number of items were missing when the venue, in the province of Bari, opened on Wednesday morning.
It later emerged the cleaner had handed them over to refuse collectors, thinking it was rubbish left behind by workers who set up the Mediating Landscape exhibition.
"We are obviously very sorry for what happened," city marketing commissioner Antonio Maria Vasile said.
"It's clear the cleaning person did not realise she had thrown away two works and their value. But this is all about the artists who have been able to better interpret the meaning of contemporary art, which is to interact with the environment.
"In any case, the insurance will cover the damages caused."
It is not the first time artwork has been accidently thrown away by a cleaner.
In 2001, a Damien Hirst installation at London's Eyestorm Gallery consisting of a collection of beer bottles, coffee cups and overflowing ashtrays was cleared away.
Later, in 2004, a bag of paper and cardboard by German artist Gustav Metzger was also thrown out while on a display at Tate Britain.
Rubbish artwork
Rubbish artwork
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
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oldr_n_wsr
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Re: Rubbish artwork
That painting in the background looks like a good target. Get your weapon of choice boys and fire away.
Re: Rubbish artwork
On the question of "What is Art?" Dave Barry proposed the following, "If I could do it, it isn't art."
The cleaning lady did the appropriate thing.
The cleaning lady did the appropriate thing.
Re: Rubbish artwork
Like!!!dgs49 wrote:On the question of "What is Art?" Dave Barry proposed the following, "If I could do it, it isn't art."
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Rubbish artwork
oldr_n_wsr wrote:That painting in the background looks like a good target. Get your weapon of choice boys and fire away.
