Framer Framed

KIOSK Rotterdam

KIOSK Rotterdam is a bookshop, (riso) print workshop, and a leaky press run by artist Philippa Driest. The selection hosts radical/critical theory, fiction, poetry and self-publishing practices.

In 2019, Driest became the janitor of Pension Almonde, a temporary home in transition to demolishment. She fixed dripping taps, broken central heating systems, clogged toilets, etc. You could find her daily at the reception, Almondestraat 179 in Rotterdam, where she welcomed guests, processed payments and handed out keys. Living above the space, she was available 24/7.

Since February 2020 Philippa started selling books on a voluntary basis from the reception. KIOSK was open by appointment. It started off with a personal selection and grew to a collection of titles informed by people who visited and shared their research (personal and/or academic).

KIOSK was hosted as part of the group project, A Funeral for Street Culture (2021), curated by Metro54 and Rita Ouédraogo at Framer Framed in Amsterdam. During A Funeral for Street Culture, Philippa collaborated with Suave Global and Keju Kitchen, both initiatives which previously resided in the Almondestreet. Suave Global is run by Claire-Lune van Arneman and Gregory Isidora. They produce cultural events, costumes for Caribbean carnival groups and combine their social enterprise with the opportunity for people in need to grow on a professional and personal level. Keju Kitchen is run by Jaleesa den Haan and Bryan Keehnen. From selling homemade cakes they grew out to more than just a bakery, taking responsibility for producing and distributing more than 1.500 free meals and care packages during the lockdown. Keju was the heart of the Almondestreet where everybody would meet for coffee, games and conversations.

In April 2021, they had to move out to the street. Philippa had to pack KIOSK into boxes. Her job as the janitor came to an end. At the end of 2023 KIOSK moved to its current location on Pieter de Raadtstraat in Rotterdam.