Image by Anne-Marie Ros

What to do? A little cheesy but tourists like it so I guess when you are with children or in a group it can be funny to do a Splashtour.

You will be touring over the road and dive into the River Maas in an unique yellow amphibious bus for approximately 75 minutes. The bus is uniquely designed in Rotterdam and built in the Netherlands.

The first part of the tour leads to some architectural hot spots in the center. The actual ‘splash’ takes place from the South shore at Katendrecht next to the boat SS Rotterdam (you can’t get off the bus during the tour!). The dive into the river is spectacular and the journey over water goes slow and shows you a different view on our beautiful skyline.

Personally I found being on the water a bit long and therefor boring but there can be some extra excitement when the engine dies and the fire brigade has to come rescue you by pulling the bus back on shore .

The yellow Splashtours bus departs from the bus stop next to the Rotterdam Maritime Museum at the Blaak in the city centre of Rotterdam. The tours start at: 12:30, 14:00, 15:30, 17:00.

Tickets can only be booked in advance online.

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Splash tours | Art & culture | Adult € 19.50
Corner Blaak / Schiedamsedijk – busstop | Center | +31104369491
Wed & Fri – Sun 11:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Anne-Marie Ros

This is a little GEM at the Nieuwe Binnenweg 107A. Gallery Zigt for contemporary jewelery. Often I hop in after breakfast at Koekela at number 97A (check the Koekela article).

It’s an inspiring place where you can find contemporary jewelery to crown a special occasion or buy yourself a present. The shop is run by two owners and goldsmiths Myriam Oude Vrielink and Neeltje Huddleston Slater. Beautiful interior, just love how they display the jewelery in an original way, like on bended plates as if they are shoulders or hanging on antique wooden hands that just comes out of the wall.

Zigt sells an interesting contemporary jewelery. Made from unique materials such as porcelain, silicon, paper, felt, but also silver, gold, diamonds and pearls.

With a special event ‘Garnet from Aunt Agaat’ Zigt owners changed old jewelery into a new design, with a great sense of humor or style. In case you ever inherent a piece you don’t like, go talk to Zigt as it’s their passion to change it into a jewel you would love to wear. Apart from this, both Myriam and Neeltje create jewelery sculpted from fine structures, looking delicate and beautiful.

Zigt sell collections of contemporary designers. Like Hester Zagt known for her delicate white ceramic designs inspired by Dutch folklore. Jennifer Hoes who use her own body as mold for her ceramic jewelery. Misun Won’s folds silver as if its origami what makes her big silver rings featherweight. Margreeth Muller’s is known for her special jewelery with moving geometric forms.

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Gallery Zigt | Art & culture, Shopping
Nieuwe Binnenweg 107A | Center | +31104369668
Tue – Fri 10:00 – 18:00, Sat 10:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Anne-Marie Ros

Last year during Art Rotterdam Preview I met The PrintRoom people for the first time. They told me how dedicated they are to artists publications. Since 2003 they’ve built up an independent platform for artists, designers and small publishers from all over the world. To bring a growing collection of artists publications, research the possibilities within artists’ publications, follow new developments, discuss, collect, invite people for talks and share this with us. 

The PrintRoom is located in an old characteristic building that used to house a printer. Parallel to the Nieuwe Binnenweg in the Schietbaanstraat 17. I really like artist publications, art magazines and think it’s amazing to have this little gem in West. PrintRoom presents Lubok Verlag, publisher of artists’ books located in the well-known ‘Spinnerei’ complex in Leipzig. For the Lubok series, artist and publisher Christoph Ruckhäberle invites artists to make linocuts that are printed on a mechanical letterpress, which allows large editions. More than 140 artists participated in the Lubok series so far. Recently the 10th edition was presented.

During Art Rotterdam Lubok will transform PrintRoom into a zany colored wonderland, using patterned wallpapers as a background for graphic work by artists they’ve worked with so far. With: graphic work by Christoph Ruckhäberle, Gabriela Jolowicz, Sebastian Gögel, Tobias Jacob, Tal R, Katharina Immekus, Volker Pfüller, Oliver Kossack, Matthias Weischer, Karl-Georg Hirsch, Simone Waßermann and other special guests.

Friday 10 February: 19:00 – 22:00: special presentation Lubok VerlagSpecial event: Saturday 11 February: 13:00 – 22:30 part of Rotterdam Gallery Tour 2012.

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PrintRoom | Art & culture, Festivals & events, Shopping
Schietbaanstraat 17 | West | +31618012478
Thu – Sat 13:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Trendbeheer RawBridge

Over the last couple of months I have checked so many times if I could make a short cut on my bike. On Wednesday Feb 8th, 2012 the new Rijnhaven bridge for cyclists and pedestrians will connect Wilhelminapier with Katendrecht. 

This gives you the opportunity to make a new walk starting at the Erasmus bridge. Explore the Wilhelminapier with the Photomuseum, the Rotterdam by Rem Koolhaas and other sky scrapers like Montevideo by Mecannoo and the world famous Hotel New York, great for a drink. Next to Hotel New York on the south side of the pier you find the little harbor with the water taxi and the new bridge.

When you cross this bridge you get to Deliplein with nice places like the shop Iszomooi, restaurant Kwizien and theatre Walhalla. If you pass Deliplein and continue on Sumatraweg. At one corner you’ll find Warmoes Market, a small supermarket and canteen. A nice local meeting point where you can have a good coffee, sandwich, soup and more.

Turn right and keep heading straight towards the end of the pennisula where you’ll find SS Rotterdam, the big steamship with hotel rooms, restaurants, bars and a shop. You continue your route towards Rijnhaven, follow the Hillelaan along the Player and RAAF back towards Erasmusbridge. Cross or turn right on Stieltjestraat. Explore the architecture on the Kop van Zuid and head back into town via the Willemsbrug.   

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Rijnhaven Round | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks, Restaurants
Rijnhaven | Zuid
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Luuk Bode

Rotterdam – the City of Art! 

I witnessed that the last two years has proven to be very exciting for new gallery start-ups that represent fresh young talents, as well as more renowned artists in Rotterdam.

Some of my favourite galleries in town have joined forces. Frank Taal, Iris Cornelis, Mirta Demare, Zic Zerp, Helder and Kap Pur galleries show that they’ve got what it takes with 1300m2 of cutting edge contemporary art by 60 exciting artists. 

The first exhibition of PAVILJOEN ROTTERDAM will run from February 8th – 12th, in Cité building at Laan op Zuid 65 – 207 in Rotterdam (entry corner Laan op Zuid / Veemstraat)

The ambiance at PAVILJOEN ROTTERDAM is very direct and personal, making it the ideal opportunity for networking and if you are seeking for an up-front experience. Acclaimed caterer Westerkaatje serves the food and drinks.  

If you also like to hear artists talk about their work or go on a guided PAVILJOEN ROTTERDAM tour with an art critic and/or contemporary art collector then check out ‘news or activities‘ on things to do.Metro, stop Wilhelminaplein – exit Veemstraat. Tram 20, stop Lodewijk Pincoff 

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PAVILJOEN ROTTERDAM | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Festivals & events
Laan op Zuid 65 Rotterdam | Zuid
Thu 12:00 – 19:00, Fri 12:00 – 21:00, Sat 12:00 – 19:00, Sun 12:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Anne-Marie Ros

For a few days from February 8th – 12th, 2012 Rotterdam turns into the centre of the Dutch Art World .

Every year I write about Art Rotterdam as I love this contemporary art fair bringing 70 national and international galleries. With a new section on the ground floor, showing 15 young galleries with solo shows. E-volved Cultures is an artificial landscape that will be created in real time by featuring artists Driessens & Verstappen. And not to be missed the illy Prize 2012. If you go to Art Rotterdam go check out Gallery Rotwand, they will bring one of my favourite artists Swiss born Tatjana Gerhardt.

If you buy your tickets on-line, use this code: PR2012 It will give you €4,00 discount on the entry fee for Art Rotterdam.

Opposite Art Rotterdam, in LasPalmas II, you will find Objects. An fair for design with limited editions and one-offs by upcoming designers. If you are interested in design but not a collector, why not join the workshop My First Design Collection The Do It Yourself Instructable Restaurant is also back in town now furnished by Thonet.

If you are on the South bank do go visit PAVILJOEN ROTTERDAM (free entry) Laan op Zuid 65 – 207, RAAF takes off! Hillelaan 19, The Player at Hillelaan 49D and RAW art fair at Veerlaan 9 -13.

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Art Rotterdam 2012 | Art & culture, Festivals & events, Snacks
Cruise terminal Wilhelminakade 699 | Zuid
Thu 12:00 – 18:00, Fri 12:00 – 21:00, Sat – Sun 11:00 – 19:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Rénia Sastrowidjojo

Yarnbombing. Guerillaknitting. 

These words might ring some bells as it’s been out and about everywhere. It’s a phenomenon happening all over the globe and it makes the world/cities colorful and softer (is my humble opinion ).  

It does bring a smile on your face when you walk somewhere and discover that things like streetlights, stairs etc. are wrapped up in snugly colorful knits. 

The people knitting/crocheting all these bits and pieces are either individuals or groups. Anyone who likes to help out can join. In a way, it does bring people together too as it’s a pretty social scene.

I’ll admit it, I’m also one of those people. I’m always attracted to ‘street/urban art’ and I think this can ‘qualify’ as such. It’s a mixture of trying to pimp up/add an extra to the (maybe grey/boring) streets and be a ‘disobedient’ citizen in a way as this form of tagging is in a somewhat illegal position.

My knitting and crocheting are still at a beginner’s level but I like that these ‘old fashioned’ crafts are still being used and being re-invented in fashion and design and out on the street in your own neighbourhood or desolate places.

I’m adding my knitted bits here in my town and might add to other cities. Should you stumble upon knitted pieces on the street and feel inspired, start knitting too and add your pieces to your own city. That’s how easy it is.

Here are some websites to get inspiration online like our local Maluca.

Knitted landscape

Stitch London

Stickkontakt

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Guerilla Knitting | Art & culture | Free
Schiedamsedijk/Blekerstraat | Center
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Rénia Sastrowidjojo

In between the Zwaanshals and the river Rotte tucked away in a block of houses is Rotabs. An interestingly shaped building.

It was empty for some time after having served as a building for the municipal sanitation service Rotab. Hence the name Rotabs.

Luckily this place was included in the renovation plans to spruce up the entire block which is still in progress. The building is now turned into a creative warehouse where entrepreneurs of diverse disciplines have put up small businesses.

The inside is divided into several units which have tenants like a photographer, a publisher, a goldsmith, a café and a gallery. There are some units left waiting for other daring adventurers to set up shop and where new neighbors have opened shops on the Zaagmolenkade recently.

Initiator Paul Posse is active in the neighbourhood and hopes to create an area like a Camden Town in the Oude Noorden. As Rotabs can be pretty hard to find even for locals, a special bus service is in the making to transport anyone interested to visit this part of the town where much is waiting to be discovered.

Want to find it yourself? Just walk into the Zwaanshals where there’s an entrance through a building leading you to Rotabs. Or do a Route du Nord weekend or visit the Swan Market which is organized several times; an introduction to this area and it’s creative spots, artists and variety of shops.

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ROTABS Stylecenter | Art & culture, Festivals & events, Music, Shopping
Zaagmolenkade 46 | Noord | +31653623230
Wed – Fri 10:00 – 18:00, Sat 10:00 -17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Nick Pursehouse

An old and beautiful place right in the centre of Rotterdam holds one part of the Museum Rotterdam. “Het Schielandhuis” has a permanent and just renewed exhibition ‘City of the people of Rotterdam’ on the first floor. Here you’ll be guided through the history of Rotterdam up ’till today.

In the basement there is a restaurant, a museum shop, but also the ‘Atlas van Stolk’. This part of the museum has a great collection of historical drawings of the Rotterdam wood collector Abraham van Stolk. The best of his collections is shown here and changes three times a year.

The attic and the ground floor are reserved for all kinds of contemporary exhibitions. The attic has made place for a great exhibition about rituals. A real must see!

On the ground floor there an exhibition about the way the elite of Rotterdam used to live. Next to this exhibition there’s a view on all the different kinds of children that live in this city.

Het Schielandhuis is my favourite museum, not only in Rotterdam but in the whole country. The exhibitions are always very innovative, creative and original. During my uni years I worked here, so as a trusted source I can tell you that the staff here is great.

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Schielandhuis | Art & culture | Entrance adults € 5.00
Korte Hoogstraat 31 | Center | +31102176767
Tue – Sun 11:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Carel Van Hees

The Netherlands Architecture Institute just reopened after a year of renovations. The museum has great new exhibitions: ‘Dutchville’ where you can experience every side of the city, ‘New Haloheim’ shows the ideas of the participants of the Ymere NAI price.

In ’The Netherlands- off the shelf’ you can see the work of photographer Hans van der Meer. He made a series of photos of town centres to show what’s typically Dutch design in these towns. The exhibition ‘Treasury’ shows about 100 masterpieces from the NAI collection.

The NAI expended with a new café, where you can get lunch, good coffee or stay for something stronger. There’s a big sunny terrace which is great to relax. Coming with kids? They can play, build and create at a space above the Café called the ‘Hands-on Deck,’ while you enjoy you’re beer/wine .

Oh and don’t forget to visit the inside bookshop!

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NAI | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Shopping | Adults € 8.00
Museumpark 25 | Center | +31104401200
Museum Tue – Sat 10:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam