Designing America: Spain's Imprint in the U.S. Exhibit highlights Spain’s contribution in shaping the landscape of the United States 

Washington D.C. -  HP today announced its collaboration with the Fundación Consejo España-EE.UU. (Spain-USA Council Foundation) to help bring the Designing America: Spain's Imprint in the U.S. exhibition to the U.S. using cross-portfolio HP digital print technology to reproduce a series of documents and maps dating back to the 16^th century.

Spain was the first European country to settle in what is now the United States of America, and its influence is still present 500 years later. The Designing America exhibition takes visitors on a journey through Spain’s many contributions in shaping the U.S.’s territory, landscape and cities, with over twenty maps, images and objects on display. Visitors will also see an interactive installation showing the cities and towns in North America with names of Spanish origin, as well as the ability to view and zoom in on a selection of these historical maps using a 42-inch HP touch screen.

HP played a strategic role in overcoming technical challenges involved with moving the exhibition to the U.S., bringing in three HP print services providers to reproduce all of the display material, print all of the informative and promotional documents, with HP also providing its latest personal systems technology to power the exhibit’s interactive features. 

Worthy of particular note is the digital reproduction of 16^th and 19^th century documents and maps, a true challenge that resulted in top quality prints with absolute accuracy with regard to the originals. RPG Squarefoot Solutions (Laurel, Md.) handled these sensitive reproductions in addition to printing supporting information for visitors using an HP DesignJet Z6800 Photo Production Printer. HP DesignJet technology was chosen because of its versatility in finishing and materials, and its ability to reproduce a range of applications, from works of art to professional photographs and back-lit panels with extremely high quality, while delivering competitive turnaround times and production costs.

Bennett Graphics (Tucker, Ga.) collaborated in the printing of the catalogue, leaflets and post cards for the exhibition using HP Indigo 10000 Digital Presses. With these presses, printing quantities can be adjusted to each client's needs with customized settings, bright colors and versatile materials, at a low operating cost. Lastly, Photo Communications (Rockville, Md.) used an HP Latex 3100 Printer to produce two large outdoor banners displayed on the exhibition building. Third-generation, water-based HP Latex ink technology deliver improved durability and image quality, providing a scratch resistance comparable to hard-solvent inks on certain substrates,⁽¹⁾ making them ideal for applications in outdoor environments like banners.

“HP boasts the market's broadest graphics printing portfolio, from large-format to general commercial printing technology, which enables us to participate in projects like this that require a variety of solutions and high standards in terms of quality, color, finishing and speed,” said Xavier Garcia, Vice-President and General Manager, HP Large Format Printing Business. "This project allowed us to demonstrate the full potential of HP technology, working in partnership with our customers to bring the ‘Designing Americas’ exhibit to the United States.”

The exhibit will be on display through Feb. 28, 2016, hosted in the Former Residence of the Spanish Ambassadors to the U.S., a mansion built in 1922 that remains an important cultural centre in Washington D.C. The exhibit will then continue its tour around the U.S. with its next stop in Houston, Texas, expected to open on April 14, 2016.

Ramón Gil-Casares, the. Spanish ambassador to the US., Helena Herrero, President of HP Iberia, and Manuel Mª Lejarreta, Secretary General of the Fundación Consejo España-EE.UU all attended the exhibition’s Washington D.C. opening. 

HP’s commitment to culture

HP Spain has a long track record of collaboration in cultural projects. Every year it takes part in dozens of initiatives that promote the awareness and access of culture among citizens.

“When we were given the opportunity to get involved in this project and make it possible for the ‘Designing America’ exhibition to travel to the U.S., we didn't think twice about participating, said Helena Herrero, President of HP Iberia, “Partly because of the exhibition's rich cultural and historical content, and also because of the rich bond between our company, the U.S. and Spain."

Moreover, HP Spain is a member of the Board of the Fundación Consejo España-EE.UU, the main goal of which is to encourage collaboration between Spanish and US companies.