Art à la Carte: The story behind ‘Untitled Works’ by Jan Eric Visser
General
Appetizer
Trash on your plate? Usually a no-go. But on the wall? That’s a different story. In Capital Kitchen, not one but two works by artist Jan Eric Visser are on display—and you’d never guess what they’re made of. These untitled wall objects aren’t colorful canvases or shiny sculptures, but the result of a deeply personal and sustainable creative process. Quite literally: they’re made from his own inorganic household waste.
Main Course
According to Visser, his art doesn’t come from a set plan. His work is intuitive—guided by what he describes as signals from his inner human being. No chemical dyes, no added extras. Time is his most important ingredient. And just like in the kitchen, the purer, the better.
By observing his own daily waste, Visser reflects on his existence. What he eats, drinks, and uses is transformed into art. “By looking at my daily waste, I examine my existence,” he explains. The wall pieces at Capital Kitchen are not only circular, but deeply personal. The yellow, white, and silver-toned piece in the restaurant is made from his own domestic waste. The blue artwork upstairs, in the private dining room, was created during a residency in Zeeland using agricultural plastic from local farmers—a quiet nod to how even food production generates waste.
Chef’s Special: Roasted Cauliflower
We love pairing our art with dishes from the menu—and Jan Eric Visser had his suggestions as well! The downstairs piece, with its soft tones and layered texture, reminds him of our roasted cauliflower. Like the artwork, it’s a tribute to simplicity and appreciation for what’s already there. No unnecessary frills—just flavor, texture, and time.
The blue work upstairs feels bolder, rawer. To Visser, it’s more of a visual ‘steak tartare’: layered, direct, and with a bite.
The Last Bite
Jan Eric Visser’s works do more than surprise—they make you look differently at what you might normally throw away. And maybe even at yourself. In a world where waste is the norm, his art invites you to reflect on the value of what we overlook.
So next time you’re at Capital Kitchen, look up. You might not see trash—but a new way of thinking.