Min of Meer

For a second, you might have been thinking there was a real person standing there. It’s funny because sometimes there really is. This artwork can come to life.

What do you think? Is he a shopaholic or some kind of store on legs?

This artwork was created by Guda Koster and Frans van Tartwijk. These two artists enjoy working together – Guda makes suits and Frans helps them come alive on special occasions.

This artwork gives the impression that it could come to life at any time, as if it were a real person. And that’s correct! It can be worn like a suit. On special occasions, Frans van Tartwijk gets into it. Can you picture it? Can you hear him shouting into that microphone over there?

When this artwork comes alive, you will hear: Asparagus soup, Bread, Peanut butter, Nutty spread… Artist Frans van Tartwijk wrote a poem using the names of everyday shopping items. Does it sound like your family’s shopping list? 

This artwork is called Min of Meer (More or Less). It’s not less but definitely more. A whole lot more. This man is carrying no fewer than 16 shopping bags filled to the brim! The megaphone and bright red colour make him pretty hard to ignore.

Red is the colour of love, passion, action, bargains, strength, energy and alertness. They say that red is also the colour of victory. Teams that wear red shirts are deemed to be more intimidating, helping them win. We seem to find women who wear red more attractive.

At the checkout, we used to be asked if we needed a bag. Polluting plastic bags are now a thing of the past. In more expensive shops, however, you sometimes receive a canvas bag with your purchase. That simple observation was the inspiration for this artwork. Guda Koster went to work using that idea.

Did you know that using a canvas shopping bag is not necessarily more environmentally friendly? More energy and natural resources are often used in the manufacture of canvas bags than plastic ones.

The topic of this artwork – going shopping – seems simple. In fact, all the exhibits at this museum are about everyday things. It’s the artists that make them special. And you – by observing them so attentively.