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 Anne-Marie Ros

“Voorlopig” is a cute name (for the time being) for a special gift shop that focuse on people who think out of the box. On Friday October 7th they celebrated their 5th year anniversary, time flies!

Located in one of the nicest shopping streets down town, the Nieuwe Binnenweg. Opposite the oldest Dutch interior design-shop Metz at number 170 that celebrated their 150th anniversary in 2010.

At Voorlopig you’ll find a very nice intuitively combined collection of beautiful presents you won’t find anywhere else. Handcrafted art objects made by poets, writers and artists.

There are many interesting, touching, surprising books on architecture, tree houses, poetry, funny gifts and more. Limited edition screen prints, lino’s and paintings, lucky balloons, amazing large collection of birdhouses, original postcards. Snoop around, be touched and warned as this shop will inspire you finding nice presents for, young and old, yourself and your beloved ones.

Every week they have new things, so it’s always worth re-visiting here.

PS they offer workshops

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Voorlopig – 5 years | Art & culture, Shopping
Nieuwe Binnenweg 165 | West | +31104367668
Wed – Thu 14:00 – 18:00, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 18:00/19:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Anne-Marie Ros

I know Frank Taal from the Labels & Bagels project during the 2000 WdW festival. A little tag sewed to my Freitag bag stayed there as a souvenir. He is an original mind, very active and innovative. In 2001 he started with friends a little gallery De Aanschouw, weekly opening every Friday at 20:30. It’s a show case that is stuck as a parasite to ‘one of the most authentic and artist/writers hang-out’ cafe De Schouw at WdW straat 80.

To make a long track record short I jump to 2010, the opening of Gallery Frank Taal. ‘A contemporary gallery from NOW’!

Frank brings 6 exhibitions per year at the Van Speijkstraat 129 and inspiring side activities. You don’t expect to find this beautiful L-shaped space behind the boring façade, but each time I am surprised by the space and presentations of works by young artists whom are on their way to becoming recognized in combination with internationally acclaimed artists.

I became a Frank Gallery fan cause there is alway so much going on. Each exhibition offers an experience in which every work plays an integral part.

Go visit and re-visit and also check out next door neighbor – cool Zic Zerp Gallery, and go just around the corner to ‘The Printroom’ – dedicated to artists publications and studio Hergebruik.

PS Frank Taal Gallery hosts the cross-over Speijksessies, don’t miss those either when in town!

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Frank Taal Gallery | Art & culture, Shopping
Van Speijkstraat 129 | West | +31104366333
Thu – Fri 12:00 – 17:00, Sat – Sun 13:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Anne-Marie Ros

Zic Zerp followed his heart and opened his own gallery in the Van Speijkstraat 129 early March 2011.

He is passionate about art and I think he shows really interesting contemporary art and emmerging artists. Till 31.1.2012 THE CHOICE OF HANS SONNENBERG – GALLERY DELTA 50 ANNIVERSARY

A special exhibition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Rotterdam based Gallery Delta. Hans Sonnenberg selected paintings of Alle Jong, Bert Frings, Mark Outjers, Johan van Dijke, Jeroen Witvliet and Niels Smits van Burgst.

Opening: January 8 | 15:00 – 18:00.

(Same day as gallery Cokkie Snoei – Mauritsweg 55 and Iris Cornelis – Jacobusstraat 211 opens with the selection of Hans Sonnenberg in their galleries!)

The gallery is really worth a visit. You can combine it with a visit to the gallery Frank Taal next door. The Van Speijkstraat connects the Nieuwe Binnenweg (tip: Koekela, Buiten, Zigt, Jordy Bakery etc) with the Kruiskade where you’ll find many exotic shops and restaurants.

Click here for latest info or follow Zic on Facebook.

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Zic Zerp Gallery | Art & culture, Shopping
Van Speijkstraat 129 | West | +31104363399
Wed – Sat 12:00 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Anne-Marie Ros

Rotterdam is getting greener with new places like ‘Buiten’ which offer good coffee, lunch and more with local products:). Opposite Zigt, Koekela (check the Koekela article) and close to some nice clothes shops, Odile Hemmen winestore and the Wittetandenwinkel is this new gem called Buiten.

(Alles komt van) Buiten, meaning ‘Everything comes from outside’, has all sorts of delicious dishes and products made with love and care. Don’t kill me but those who know the Groene Passage might understand when I say it’s like a little mixture of Gimsel and Spirit but definetely in a MODERN STYLE! 

The shop is nice, open with a brightly designed interior and has very friendly staff. Buiten uses only organicly grown products for their freshly homemade dishes, salads, pasta’s, soups, juices and more. They also offer a wide range of best cheeses, oils, coffee and other specialities like chutneys, (sweet) mayonnaise, bionades, hottie sambal, jams, regional season vegetables, pestos, bread and more. Fairtrade products can also be found like Tony Chocolonely chocolate and goods from Oxfam. And one day my famous Tiramisu will be on sale here (I’ll keep you posted:))

Go here to taste regional products, to do eco-friendly food shopping if you don’t feel like cooking or just for a good tea or a coffee to go. In the back you will find a large table where they let you read and eat in.

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Alles Komt Van Buiten | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks
Nieuwe Binnenweg 100 | West | +314360042
Tue – Sat 10:00 – 19:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Rénia Sastrowidjojo

I discovered this Turkish bakery filled with homemade cookies, bread and other mouth-watering goodies years ago when I attended school nearby ages ago.

One day during a break, I browsed the streets and as I have a thing for savory food I was immediately drawn towards the window where these freshly baked buns with feta cheese and tomato were displayed and lured me into the bakery

That was my first contact with the Kaya family, the second generation of a bakers family, originally from Hatay, Antakya in Turkey. They have had their shop since 1982 in this busy street in Rotterdam. It’s still a nice place to visit from time to time to either get that feta cheese bread or many other yummy things like baklava of course.

Kaya Pastanesi refurbished the shop some time ago and now you’re able to sit there too and have a cup of çay or coffee accompanied with or without something to munch on.

Their sweet and sticky baklava come in several flavors and shapes with exotic names like Dolama and Havuç (bigger pieces of baklava). Other sweet stuff are Lokum (Turkish delight), Bülbül Yuvasi (unfilled airy pastry) and Dilber dudagi (pastry dough with nuts).

The wide range of cookies always look attractive and inviting to eat. Do try the Peynirli Börek (Kaya bun with cheese), a simple Simit or even the Turkish pizza, Lahmacun.

Turkish wines and chocolate are also for sale.

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Kaya Pastanesi | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | From € 1.50
1e Middellandstraat 123 | West | +31104772319
Mon – Thu 10:00 – 18:30, Fri 10:00 – 21:00, Sat 10:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by L.V.M. van Daalen

In 1937 they began to build the Maastunnel, which included the moving of the Norsk Sjomannskirke which is in the park nearby nowadays. The building continued during WWII.

There is a story that while they were officially opening the tunnel at one side, two schoolboys had entered the tunnel at the other side. I would have loved to see their faces, when they saw the two boys, before the cutting of the ribbon. This opening was in 1942, and back then it was the first car tunnel in the Netherlands.

Besides a car tunnel there is also a bike tunel and a pedestrian tunnel. You can go down the escalator with your bike or request the elevator. The tunnel for pedestrians is another stairway down, since you are not allowed to walk in the bike tunnel.

I have been biking here about once a day up and down for five years. When I lived on the south bank my work and my son’s school was on the north bank, we always took the Maastunnel on our way. Especially in the summertime you are met by a pleasant fresh air, since it is quit cool under sea level.

Going up the escalator with your bike takes some getting used to, but since my son has been doing it since he was five years, I suppose you can manage. As long as you take care to put your back wheel firmly on one stair, you can hold your bike with only the touch of a finger.

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Maastunnel | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Maastunnel | West
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by L.V.M. van Daalen

I like the zoo a lot and I go there regularly. They rebuilt and enlarged many animal homes over the last few years. You do not get to see the animals you like too often, but at least the animals enjoy their stay. And since they have to live there, that is the most important thing. The African Savannah-Area has by now been completed.

I do not know how populair this news was abroad, but Blijdorp is the zoo with Bokito, the escaped gorilla. Personally I do not visit the apes much. I like to look for feathers. I do not encounter many, but I have collected some birds’ feathers over the years, although I lost a few too (has something to do with cats and them stealing it from my shelves…). And I like to take pictures. I love them in a natural environment, so it is quit a challenge to make pictures without the fences. Sometimes I go there to draw.

One time I was there I forgot my camera. A monkey caught a mouse and was trying to kill it. My friend was so upset, she ran off with her camera. I still consider it a lost chance. But my search for specialties goes on and on.

On the drawing is a cormorant. There is a lake with cormorants and pelicans near the old entrance. I thought my drawing of the pelican was better, but I gave it away to a little boy.

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Diergaarde Blijdorp | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Relaxing | Entrance adults € 19.50
Blijdorplaan 8 | West | +31104431495
Winter 09:00 – 17:00 daily | Summer 09:00 – 18:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by ALexander Geijzendorffer

It’s that time of year again. What was left of summer is gooone, Sinterklaas arrived in the country by steamship and the traditional Dutch pastry stands are popping out of the ground like mushrooms.

These “Oud Hollandsche Gebak Kramen” have been there as long as I can remember. Don’t ask me when the first Dutch man (or more likely woman) decided to drop a ball of yeasty dough in hot frying oil to discover this delicacy, but a new year’s eve can and will not be imagined without it.

Whether you like them with apple, raisins, rum or just covered by a mini-himalaya of caster sugar so you look like a snowman after eating it, they’re a must. This stand is specifically famous as it has been chosen, many many times, by the national AD-oliebollen test as the one that makes the best oliebollen of the Netherlands.

Closer to new year’s eve the queue will be getting longer and longer. And be there to late during the day. They close when they are sold out, so between 18:00 and 19:00. Don’t trust other ones saying they make the best. They might well be lying.

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Richard Visser’s Gebakkraam | Snacks | 1 oliebol € 1
Heemraadssingel 169 | West
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 18:00/19:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam