Rue des Rêves

Beneath a facade of enameled steel, Rue des Rêves whispers tales of literary giants. Here on Ploegstraat, the Rue des Rêves isn’t just an artwork. It’s a portal to the past, honoring the brothers Karel and Gerard van het Reve. The artwork, created by Steffen Maas in 2004, originally graced a small garden at the intersection of Ploegstraat and Veeteeltstraat. Now, it finds its home on the side of Ploegstraat 50. This location holds a special significance, weaving itself into the tapestry of the Van het Reve family history. The Rue des Rêves, through an accompanying plaque, marks the milestones of their lives. It remembers Karel’s birth in 1921 and Gerard’s in 1923, the latter date highlighted in Marian blue. The year 1924 is etched in steel, marking the family’s arrival in the neighborhood. Their departure in 1937 and the publication of Gerard Reve’s “The Evenings” in 1947 find their place in this metallic narrative. The plaque also whispers of addresses: number 57, their first home, later renumbered to 59. Then, number 50, their second dwelling. Finally, number 85, their last residence in Betondorp, later changed to 133. But the Rue des Rêves holds a secret, a playful twist of fate. As art critic Peter van Brummelen noted in 2024, the name, unintentionally pronounced as “street of dreams”, echoes the French Drôme department, where Gerard Reve once lived. This unintentional resonance adds another layer of meaning to the artwork. So, stand before the Rue des Rêves. Let the enameled steel reflect not just the sky, but the dreams and memories of two literary brothers, forever intertwined with the streets of Betondorp.