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Holograms

James Turrell, a pioneering artist within the Light and Space movement, has explored the medium of holography as part of his extensive investigation into the perception and materiality of light. Turrell's holograms represent a significant aspect of his artistic practice, where he continues to challenge and expand the boundaries of visual perception and the phenomenological experience of space and light.


Turrell's engagement with holography is part of his broader artistic inquiry into the intangible yet experiential qualities of light. These works are not just about the technological aspects of creating three-dimensional images with light but are deeply rooted in Turrell's ongoing fascination with the sensory and metaphysical implications of light as both a physical and symbolic medium. His holograms, often abstract and mesmerizing in form, serve as vehicles for exploring the duality of light — its tangible physical presence and its capacity to evoke the immaterial and transcendent.


One of the notable exhibitions that featured Turrell's holograms was at the Academy Art Museum, where the exhibition "James Turrell Perspectives" premiered new installations alongside a selection of holograms. This exhibition highlighted Turrell's enduring interest in the mechanics of visual perception and the metaphysical aspects of light, offering viewers an immersive experience into his explorations of space, light, and time​ (Academy Art Museum)​.


Turrell's holographic works have been shown in various prestigious venues, indicating their significance within his oeuvre. Exhibitions like "James Turrell: A Retrospective" at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) have included his holograms among a wide array of works spanning his career. This retrospective underscored Turrell's pioneering contributions to contemporary art and his innovative use of light as a primary material​ (LACMA)​. Additionally, his works were part of "James Turrell: A Retrospective" at the National Gallery of Australia, further demonstrating the global recognition and appreciation of his contributions to the field of light and space art​ (National Gallery of Australia)​.


Turrell's holograms, through their unique blending of art and technology, invite viewers into a contemplative engagement with the phenomena of light and perception. They are emblematic of his broader artistic quest to not only explore the sensory effects of light but also to provoke deeper reflections on the ways in which we perceive and construct reality through the medium of light.