hOLAnDA-2005: Fast Facts

All details around hOLAnDA 2005

hOLAnDA 2005 was a large exhibition. We exhibited 152 products from 83 designers from 8 countries. This was done on 2200 m2 in the Posthoornkerk (built in 1860) in Amsterdam, from 1- 4 december 2005. More than 340 designers applied for H2005, from 11 countries in Latin America.

Around 3500 visitors visited the church during 4 exhibition days and two evening events: the opening and the Latin American design dinner. These visitors drank 2500 cups of coffee from Café de Origen, 16 litres of bottled water, 144 Mexican beers and about 34 bottles of Argentinean or Chilean wine.

The LADF-website part were H2005 was announced was visited 14.547 times, and 247 new subscriptions for the LADF newsletter were received during those days. So far, we counted 1 TV news item, 2 newspaper articles, 3 magazine articles, 45 website listings and 5 blogs that paid attention to H2005.

All this could not be organized without the help of 5 sponsors, the support of the Mexican, Brazilian and Argentinean embassies in the Netherlands and 33 volunteers in and from the Netherlands, Italy, Mexico, Argentina, Germany, Greece, Malaysia and Brazil who spend a few hours, but also for some a few months of their time, to help setting this up without any fee or compensation.

During the setup, LADF has sent 7.300 e-mails, had around 40 international Skype calls, 25 international landline calls and has sent 16 letters on paper. We used over 330 litres of gas in the preparations and received for over € 280,- on parking tickets with the whole team. We received 83 Fedex shipments, 4 through TNT, 3 through UPS and 5 by other courier companies. (Picture 1: Vase by Beth Lima)

The heaviest product of H2005 was supplied by Marcus Feirreira from Brazil (a couch of 178 kgs, incl. packaging) and the lightest product was the elegant shoulder jewelry piece from Lila Colpachi from Bueanos Aires. Frank Lourenco from Argentina was the first one to bring their product to Amsterdam , and we will diplomatically not say who was last, but it was fierce competition in this category.

The most popular products (most visitor questions/requests) were the products from Mexican designer Natalia Porter, both her pencil-products as well as her jewelry. Many visitors are left disappointed because they are unique pieces, so not available for many. Close to this, popular products were the handbags from Brazilian Escama, Mexican Pintando Pasos (handpainted Converse Shoes), the ceramic vases from Brazilian designer Carolina Harrari, the Ravello chair from Ricardo Antonio, the unexpected sink from Gustavo Bertolini and all the great furniture from Brazilian Marcus Ferreira (see picture 2), especially the giramundo chair, made from 15 colors of yarn. You see the picture next to this text. Also attention was high for the Renderia Seat from Flavia Paggotti and the noticable red Medusa Lamp from Super Limao from Brazil. The amazing handwork of the furniture from Argentinean Arte Pampa always makes the audience gazing at the paper collage technques. Visitors were very charmed by the products of Uruguyan handbag designer Quiana and the wooden puzzles of . Suzanna Sanchez T-shirts raised questions and discussion, just as she would like it. The three very cute, but to some slightly shocking, crucifixes by Bala Studio from Mexico had the same impact. Their elegant jewelry got more smiles on faces. Luis Pons from Venezuela brought in many pieces, all with its own fans. The girl's best friend (an (almost) diamond necklace) was indeed a good friend... Finally, Escama's handbags from Brazil from thousands of recycled can plugs were touched by almost every visitor. "How many of those were used?..."

During the opening, the H2005 design awards were given to Mexican resident Alcides Fortes for jewelry design, to Argentinean Rodrigo Bertotto as most promising young designer, to Super Limao from Brazil for the best design while recycling waste and to the Mexican Project Pintando Pasos, sponsored by Converse for the project with the best community impact. This award was handed out by Sra. Sandra Fuentes, ambassador of Mexico in the Netherlands, the others by Valeria Siemelink , partner of design store Metro Sur, Gabriela Bustamante, Chairwoman of LADF and Ministre Carlos Cascón from the embassy of Argentina in the Netherlands.

The Latin American Design dinner was served by Restaurant Los Pilones from Amsterdam and the Argentinean and Chilean wines were served by RedCork.nl.