Around 1483, Sandro Botticelli painted The Birth of Venus. According to legend, Venus, the goddess of love, was born from sea foam and arrived on a shell on the shores of Cyprus. She remains the ultimate symbol of beauty for many people. The original painting in the Italian Uffizi museum attracts thousands of visitors every month. Photographers, fashion designers, and pop stars are often inspired by the appearance of the goddess.

Folkert de Jong is known for his typical use of materials. He works with everyday building materials such as expanding foam. Dea Consumptia, the sculpture at the LAM museum, is made of epoxy, polyurethane foam, and Styrofoam. These materials come from the chemical industry and are harmful to the environment. ‘I see these unethical materials as the marble of today.’ The materials are used for insulating household appliances, shipbuilding, and architecture. ‘Without realizing it, they are all around us.