Holland Mania: Perception of Americans and Japanese of Holland

16 may - 30 august 2009

In 2009 Museum De Lakenhal presented the Holland Mania: American and Japanese perception of Holland This exhibition comprised a series of historical presentations, installations by contemporary American, Japanese and Dutch artists, performances, symposiums and activities in Museum De Lakenhal, in Scheltema and in the city of Leiden. This major event marked two theme years in Leiden. The city celebrated 400 years of trade relations with Japan, and the settlement of the Pilgrims in Leiden 400 years ago.

cliché images

No fewer than eight historical presentations and as many exciting artistic interventions by contemporary artists visualized how American and Japanese cliché images of Holland developed, today and in the past. Upon entering the museum, the visitor passed straight into Holland Mania images by Rene van Engelenburg and Coen Bouman. They interpreted Holland Mania in the tourism sense of the word, and showed a series of picture postcards featuring the well-known clichés. This installation also literally presented the other side of the picture. Presentations throughout the museum demonstrate how American and Japanese artists, diplomats and tourists traveled to Holland, and what they saw here.

contemporary artists

American, Japanese and Dutch artists capitalize on the historical presentations through their artistic interventions on the phenomenon of Holland Mania. Smells from 19th-century Deshima evoked the atmosphere of the era during which the Dutch lived on this Japanese island. Light and wind installations refered to Holland’s centuries-long battle against nature. Discussions and sounds illustrated how Americans interpret Dutchness. Visitors were also activated in various ways by presentations throughout the museum.