Exhibit visits another dimension

Holographs are focus of show at state museum

Butterflies, birds, lions and owls all seem to come to life at the Nevada State Museum & Historical Society. That's because they're part of the museum's latest exhibit "Nature of Holography," produced and circulated by Holophile Inc.

Holography gives a 3-D effect to subjects ... without the weird-looking glasses. That's because the composite images are synthesized by the human brain, which translates it into an image with depth.

When seen from different angles, the holographs provide different views of the object, similar to the stop-action, multi-camera special effects used in "The Matrix."

A couple of the holographs in the exhibit offer a picture within a picture. Looking through a holograph of a telescope, for example, allows a view of the outer planets in 3-D. That one is the hands-down favorite with children.

Another one shows Earth with a star field behind it. Titled "The Visitors," it may take a couple of tries to see the little UFO, which looks curiously like the CBS eye, zooming in for a landing.

No matter which one is being viewed, there is a temptation to reach out to the hologram. That's what happened when a school group toured the exhibit soon after it opened.

"The kids were fascinated by these and they kept trying to touch them," said Barbara Slivac, curator of education, as she readjusted a frame. "Which is why we'll be straightening these pictures an awful lot."

There are 25 reflective holograms in the wildlife portion. Subjects include lion cubs, an owl and a panting Irish setter.

The museum took real items, including a stuffed mouse, owl, butterfly, pine cone and rose, and displayed them alongside the holographs for comparison.

There are also panels that explain the history of holographs and how they are produced.

Some pictures are single-exposure holograms produced with long exposures by a continuous-wave laser. Others were created with a pulsed-laser light that lasts only a few nanoseconds.

Slivac said the human head is probably the favorite with adults. It allows views of each layer of muscle, bone and brain.

Illuminating the display proved a little tricky. The museum has track lighting and getting the 3-D effect required extra lights at a 45-degree angle.

Most adults will need to bend their knees to properly view the exhibit. The pictures are purposely displayed at a lower angle so children can readily see the 3-D effect.

The exhibit is scheduled to be on display until Sept. 5.

The Nevada State Museum and Historical Society is located at 700 Twin Lakes Drive in Lorenzi Park and open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors 55 and older and free to children 17 and younger.

For information, call 486-5205.


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