Holographic Reconstruction of Objects in a Mixed-Reality, Post-Truth Era: A Personal Essay

• Main Author: Mary Harman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-08-01
• Series: Arts
• Subjects: holography; narrative art; metaphysical; perception; illusion; political art; mixed reality
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/8/3/102

The ephemeral holographic image is an appropriate medium to express the nature of reality and illusion, an early interest I explored with trompe-l&#8217;&#339;il painting. To make a representational hologram, one needs a worthy object to copy, and one that is hand-made by the artist adds to the unity of the work. The resulting copy physically resembles the original, and when both are placed together in the final composition, the material object now has an immaterial, metaphysical presence one could identify as soul. In this paper, I present a recent artwork that exhibits these characteristics, and the theme of <i>Reality</i>, <i>Truth and Lie</i> is firmly placed within the current political context. The historical background to my work, relevant aspects of the technical process, and closer analysis of the ambiguities inherent in the hologram are all noted in my narrative, and I add my own personal comments and opinions. One invaluable source has been the published accounts of other artists/holographers who describe their own experience in holography, a medium that fuels ideas rather than being only a tool to express them.