The magical world of holography

A few blocks away from the massive Harpo Studios where "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is taped, there is a little-known museum hidden among factories and rugged apartment buildings. Its exterior offers no clues as to the nature of its exhibits. Unlike most of Chicago’s museums, there are no nearby banners waving crisply in the air or boldly colored posters flaunting the latest display.

The Museum of Holography, located at 1134 W. Washington Blvd., is simply not that kind of museum. Despite the fact that it is the only museum in the United States devoted entirely to holography and laser imaging, and the owner of the world’s largest collection of holograms, it maintains a rather modest stance.

Through unassuming displays, the museum tells the history of the art form of holography. More than 200 holograms are on display, including the ongoing exhibits of a 3 by 3 foot Tyrannosaurus Rex skull, a miner panning for gold and an animated portrayal of legendary Bulls basketball player Michael Jordan.

"Although we are small, I think we provide something unique to the city," said Loren Billings, 61, the owner and director of the museum since its opening in 1976. The museum has always been a non-profit organization that relies entirely on donations.

A hologram is a light wave pattern that, when recorded on film and illuminated, can create a 3-D image of an object. Holograms are made when one laser beam is split into two. Holography was discovered in 1947 by Dennis Gabor of Britain, who won a Nobel Prize for his work.

The museum houses exhibits by holographic artists known throughout the world, such as Dan Schweitzer, 54, of New York City. Schweitzer has displayed his holograms as far away as Berlin, and some of his works are on permanent display at the museum in Chicago. He became interested in holography by accident when he casually enrolled in a course on the subject.

"Once I understood the concept [of holography], I became somewhat of a fanatic," said Schweitzer. "It subsequently became my life mission." As co-director for the Center of Holographic Arts in Long Island, he continues to make his living through holography.

The uses for holograms are continually expanding. While perhaps best known as a form of artistic expression and entertainment, they have been used in science and medicine. One entire room at the museum is devoted to medical holograms. The inside of the brain and heart, among other body parts, can be seen through holograms.

But the use of medical holography has not advanced as some anticipated. Bert Myers, 72, of New Orleans, is a retired professor of surgery who experimented for 12 years with holograms. Some of these experimental holograms are currently on display at the museum. Myers aimed to use holography as a viable medical teaching tool, but the process of making holograms proved too complex and too expensive.

Looking at holography today, Myers said, "The movement seems almost dead. I still feel that eventually it will find a place in education or art."

Or maybe holography will find its purpose in commerce. In recent years, jewelers have used holograms to showcase their most expensive pieces in public without the presence of armed guards and without the threat of thievery. Cars and artworks are increasingly being "displayed" without risk in this way as well.

Visitors to the Museum of Holography have the opportunity to take home a hologram of their own. The gift shop at the museum is known for its unique gifts. Actual framed holograms are available for purchase, with the hologram of Michael Jordan being the top seller. An assortment of hologram trinkets, such as pencils and inexpensive jewelry, is also available.

The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday. A donation of $3 for adults, $2.50 for children and senior citizens is requested. Group tours for 25 or more can be arranged by calling the museum at (312) 226-1007.

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Courtesy of http://www.ekac.org

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