The first 3D feature movie I saw of the latter-day 3D movie hype-wave was honestly just a couple of weeks ago withPrometheus. It was fine — I hate the goddamn glasses, however — but didn’t feel particularly future-y, or like I was at the precipice of a new cinema. Not like color or sound must have felt anyway. But there was a time, beginning in the late ’60s, when that third dimension felt like the future of art, and artists ranging from Louise Bourgeois to Eric Orr to Ed Ruscha were experimenting with the new medium. As part of its summer exhibition "Ghosts in the Machine," the New Museum is showcasing a collection of “virtually unknown” holographic art from an era when it seemed like holographic art would be anything but unknown.
At the leading edge of movement was Bruce Nauman, producing two sets of holograms between 1968 and 1969. His Hologram H (above) from the second set "Second Hologram Series: Full Figure Poses (A-J)" is making one of its first ever New York appearances at the exhibit. It joins work from the artists above along with works from James Turrell and even Chuck Close, all up in the New Museum lobby for the “Pictures from the Moon” exhibit until Sept. 30.Much of the Hollywood 3D wave has seemed a bit like art serving technology serving ticket sales. In this light it becomes all the more interesting to take note of a 3D wave that, rather than bow before a technology, sought to aggressively push its limits. No glasses required.Also, for a great early history of holographic art and one of its progenitors, Jason Sapan, please see our documentary, “Doctor Laser”. Then head to the New Museum.
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