The Holocenter, or Center for Holographic Arts, is located in midtown Kingston.  I have seen featured artists here from Japan, France, the UK, Canada, Germany, the US and South Korea.  Holography deals with the recording of the transmission and reflection of light.  A hologram is basically a light sculpture.  I must say the art really doesn’t translate in pictures at all…you need to be present to see it.

I took a workshop here a year ago with the executive director Linda Law.  My classmates and I first learned about the history of this medium, from Law who was a part of the scene in New York since before I was born.  Then we each created our own 3 dimensional art piece using different materials.  Later Linda took us individually into the dark room to shoot our pieces.  Everyone outside of the classroom had to be very quiet and still, so as not to throw off the recording process.  No talking or going to the bathroom, or preferably moving at all.  I sat still in my chair, silent, conscious of the vibrations a chair leg could make if tilted to one side.  

Shortly into this delicate stage of the process, a rowdy St. Patrick’s Day parade marched up the street – adults and children dancing and laughing – deep drums and blaring horns and a raw green cheer that made it hard not to laugh at the precarious situation inside of the classroom.  The parade stretched endlessly up Broadway and spilled into the different businesses and bars.  This was no small or exclusive club; it really felt like the entire city had put all differences aside and joined in the endless rows of people flooding the streets instead of the usual car traffic.  

Later in the class we each received a 2 dimensional image burned into a plate.  The plate could be projected 3 dimensionally by a bright beam of light.

I first became interested in holographics when I read The Holographic Universe by Michael Talbot, 17 years ago.  I believe space is a plenum, not a vacuum.  The theory that every portion of the universe enfolds the whole rang true to me.  It also worked well with Jung’s extensive writings on the collective unconscious, which I was studying at the time. The Red Book had come out in October 2009 and I had received an advanced copy from a friend.  I remained obsessed with this book for years, and spoke and wrote about it more often than anyone was comfortable with.

If you are in the area I recommend stopping by the Holocenter.  There are rotating exhibits, and classes regularly offered.  It’s a 2 hour ride from Manhattan, a comfortable day trip upstate.  Maybe wait a few days though.