The Coffee room /de koffie kamer ( 2008)
The Coffee Room was an installation set in the former coffee room used by the Zuiderzee Museum’s repair staff. Originally located in one of the authentic 18th-century houses in the museum’s outdoor section, it was recreated in the same space to restore the ‘original’ atmosphere while adding new interpretive layers.
This reimagined space served as a mediator between past and present, critically examining curated history through space, objects, and photography. It featured a continuous audio loop that provided commentary on the relativity of facts and the nature of museum experiences. The soundscape included details about the objects found in the space, how the room was used by the staff, and the overall atmosphere, intertwining historical details, nostalgia, and contemporary reflections.
The Coffee Room by Sara Blokland
voice through the speakers in the room says :
The room was used for coffee breaks after the work was done on the museum grounds. Please do not enter this room!
This room is located at the back of the house. In the middle of the room stands a table. On either side of the table are two chairs. Behind the table is a window with a view of the garden. On the left side, there is a cabinet. On the right side, there is a wicker chair with a worn-out seat that is no longer usable. A cotton cloth hangs over the chair. Behind the chair is a speaker. The chair on the right side is made of wood and features a decorative element at the top of the backrest. The seat and backrest are made of Bordeaux red leather, and the chair is still in good condition. On the left side is a trash can.
Authentic photographs hang on the wall, made by the users of this room. These include photos of vacations and holidays, likely of the users of this room, their family members, and friends. Additionally, there are many photos taken on the museum grounds itself. The photos are taped to the walls.
On the table, there are several objects such as cans, a telephone, and a newspaper. The telephone is an outdated model and was also used for forwarding calls to other devices. Even now, direct telephone communication is still possible from this room. On the table are several lists with clear instructions on what to do in case of emergencies. Additionally, there is a coat and a decorative object on the windowsill. Curtains hang in front of the windows. The walls are ochre-colored and restored to their original state. Modern lighting hangs from the ceiling. Smoking is prohibited here. There is a mirror on the wall.
Please do not enter this room!
Most of the room is made of wood, and the furniture is largely wooden as well. Pieces of paper hang on the walls, and some constructions are made of metal. There is also glass in front of an image in the room. The colors in the coffee room are white, cream, yellow, brown, dark brown, pink, red, dark red, purple, light green, dark green, green, light blue, dark blue, blue, gray, dark gray, and black.
Please do not enter this room!
The room is soberly furnished and appears reasonably well-maintained. The light entering the room is strong, but in winter, when the sun is lower, the coffee room can feel dark and somber. The room can also be quite chilly in winter, even with the heating on. The room has a musty smell, which can be mitigated by opening a window. Exceptionally, this room was used in the past for overnight stays if necessary.
Please do not enter this room!
The coffee room accommodates two to four people, allowing them to sit together at the table to smoke, drink, eat a sandwich, or read a newspaper. Visitors to the coffee room were both men and women, although it is assumed that it was mainly men. This can also be inferred from the photos, which mainly served as decoration for this room. It is unclear whether the photos were also discussed.
Please do not enter this room!
The subjects of the photos on the wall include men, ships, celebrations, crafts, women, water, land, events, congratulations, workdays, advertisements, fishing, transvestism, history, recognition, beer, fish, boats, smiles, presentations, passion, memories, encounters, people, events, and stories.
Please do not enter this room!
This room is a reconstruction of the original space; not all elements in this room are authentic. The coffee room was in use until recently but has since been relocated to another room, allowing this space to be reconstructed as a coffee room.
Please do not enter this room!
Thank you!