Colombian artist Yosman Botero and a team of scientists created a tiger hologram using a technique derived from early cinema experiments [1].
The project demonstrates how modern holographic methods can bridge the gap between physical art and digital reconstruction. By utilizing a process called holostereosynthesis, the team converted a series of static, two-dimensional paintings into a volumetric visual experience.
The process began with the creation of nine [1] plexiglass layers painted in acrylics. These layers served as the physical foundation for the hologram, acting as slices of the final subject. This method echoes the slice-based visual techniques used during the earliest days of cinema to simulate depth and movement.
To digitize the physical object, the team used a virtual camera to capture the subject. This camera covered a 60-degree [1] arc to ensure a comprehensive perspective of the tiger. During this phase, the system captured thousands [1] of images to build the final holographic representation.
This approach allows a digital or physical object to be broken into 2D slices and then reconstructed. The resulting image provides a three-dimensional view that retains the artistic quality of the original acrylic work while introducing the technical precision of modern imaging. The work was featured in a 2024 Science Magazine piece [1].
“The project uses holostereosynthesis, a technique inspired by early cinema.”
This project highlights a convergence of traditional fine art and computational imaging. By reviving holostereosynthesis, the creators demonstrate that early cinematic principles can still inform modern 3D visualization, potentially offering new ways to archive physical art in immersive digital formats.
