SL-Dutch long history to be captured with ‘design’

Wednesday, 5 March 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam The 400-year relationship between the Netherlands and Sri Lanka will come under a fresh spotlight on 28 March as a unique event to draw attention to the links and ties is gearing up to take place in Colombo. In an attempt to highlight collaborations the country has with Sri Lanka, Kingdom of Netherlands Ambassador for Sri Lanka Louis W. M. Piët shared with the Daily FT that the Embassy in partnership with the Academy of Design (AOD) will host a three day event titled ‘Fuse-it’ under the theme Old Friends-New Trends.

“The idea to have such an event came about when we were looking for ways in which the Dutch design or fashion sector should be given much attention to in Sri Lanka. For that we decided to partner with AOD to take this initiative off the ground. Looking at the joint past the two country shares, many recall the strong relationship by referring to the historic sites such as the forts built by the Dutch in Jaffna, Galle, Mannar, and few other regions. So we though why not use design to reflect on the selected theme as it is the ideal mode for cultural exchange and the strengthening of international relationships,” said Ambassador Piët during a brief interview with the Daily FT. Set to take place at the Dutch Burgher Union, Colombo 3, the event will entail a series of activities, including a fashion show, to put Netherland on the map of Sri Lanka by using ‘design’ as a key component since it is not only a growing area in Sri Lanka but also very much a part of Dutch Culture. "‘Fuse-it’ will kick off on 28 March and go on till 30 March 2014 at the Dutch Burgher Union, Colombo 3." The Netherlands is known to house one of the best and leading design schools in the world- Eindhoven Design Academy. Making the event the first of its kind is that the designed Dutch print collection will be interpreted through Sri Lanka crafts, thus the fusion of the two countries. The nation’s signature batik and handloom will be used to recreate a contemporary version of the design. The design collection, which will be produced at the AOD design campus, will be done by a total of eight fashion designers of which seven are passed out students from AOD, Sri Lanka, and one from Eindhoven Design Academy, Netherland. Speaking on the concept AOD Founder and Managing Director Linda Spelwinde said: “We usually attach Dutch and Sri Lanka with the history it shares. Using design as an element is certainly unique as it is a very happening area in Sri Lanka. It is a young and fresh approach from here (Sri Lanka) and Netherlands. It is a very current angle and using design and the fusion as a medium to culturally communicate makes the event stand out.” The organisers expressed that as a long-term objective, the Dutch Embassy and AOD together wish to encourage more international collaboration between youth and designers to promote harmony and friendship between nations. Pic by Daminda Harsha Perera