Color Holography for the Documentation and Dissemination of Cultural Heritage: OptoClonesTM from Four Museums in Two Countries

Abstract

True-color holograms, as they are the most advanced and realistic three-dimensional images obtainable with current technologies, can become valuable tools for the preservation, documentation and diffusion of cultural heritage. In this respect, the transportable Z3RGB color holography system and the HoLoFoS™ illuminant developed by the Hellenic Institute of Holography have been successfully utilized for the in-situ recording and displaying of OptoClones™ (Denisyuk-type color holograms) in four museums and two countries. The holographic image of an OptoClone™ is characterized by a wide angle of view, full parallax and perspective, good color rendition and ultra-realistic reproduction of the optical properties of the materials of an artefact. In this paper, we report on our accumulated expertise in on-site holographic documentation of museum artworks of various types, already from four museums of world caliber and reputation (Athens and Thessaloniki Byzantine, Fabergé Museum of St. Petersburg and Diamond Fund of Russia). In one case, a world’s first, the in-situ recorded OptoClones™ have been subsequently displayed as part of the permanent exhibition of the Byzantine & Christian Museum of Athens in replacement of the original artifacts while on loan. On another occasion involving State Treasures from the Diamond Fund of Russia, the recorded OptoClones™ exhibited inside the Moscow Kremlin were highly appraised by officials and international experts as well as the general public allowing reasonable optimism for the prospects of Display Holography for museums.

Review of Organic Photorefractive Materials and Their Use for Updateable 3D Display

“…The depth of field has been enlarged by using long coherence lasers [ 8 ]; for example, full color reproduction has been achieved, thanks to 3 color lasers recording [ 9 , 10 ]; reproductions of large scenes and life subjects have been made possible by using short pulse lasers [ 11 ]; and rainbow holograms can be viewed with white light [ 12 ]. Today, it is possible to display convincing holographic reproductions of artifacts with exquisite details and in full color [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Study of Full-Color Multiplexed Transmission Holograms of Diffusing Objects Recorded in Photopolymer Bayfol HX

“…It is known that there are different applications of holography; it should be highlighted that color reproduction is one of the most important. The applications involve different fields-for instance, art [1], security holography [2], sensors [3,4], displays [5] and LEDs [6]. These examples show the wide range of color-hologram applications [7].…”