3D holograms: a new life for artworks

Art is entering a new era: alongside museums, galleries, and private collections, the universe of 3D holograms is taking shape, destined to profoundly transform the way we observe, interpret, and experience works of art. In Italy, experimentation with these cutting-edge technologies is increasingly involving creative institutions, with exhibitions that allow visitors to literally immerse themselves in paintings, sculptures, and installations thanks to three-dimensional projections of astonishing realism. Art comes to life and breaks the barrier of distance, offering immersive, interactive, and multisensory experiences that redefine the relationship between spectator and artwork.

Exhibitions dedicated to 3D holograms are multiplying throughout the country. Projects promoted by Studio Tangram and Virtual On, as well as by innovators at the Museo Casa di Dante and other institutions devoted to cultural heritage, are just the tip of the iceberg. Each device, often called a holobox or “volumetric 3D display,” uses laser and LED technologies to reproduce images in space without the need for glasses or headsets. The result is a projection that can be viewed from multiple angles, appearing to truly occupy the volume of a room while perfectly recreating the dynamism and depth of the original works.

At the heart of this revolution lies the ability to reproduce details, textures, and even movement in artistic creations. Sculptures can be “viewed” in the round by walking around the projection, paintings can be “explored” by entering the perspectives created by painters through volumetric vision, while performances and interactive installations are programmed to respond to the presence of the audience. Some advanced projects even employ digital resurrection, enabling not only the recreation of works but also the figures of artists and historical characters: on stage, it is now possible to virtually “meet” Giacomo Puccini, Tupac Shakur, or even Dante Alighieri, studying their features with unprecedented precision.

The technology of 3D holograms represents a new frontier: physical works are not only transposed into digital form, but virtual reality and augmented reality merge to create an illusion of presence that engages all the senses and stimulates participation. In some museum spaces, thanks to these innovations, the public is invited to “touch” projections of objects that were once untouchable for conservation reasons: interactive displays allow manipulation of light or viewing angle, simulating a tactile sensation in artistic enjoyment.

The scanning volumetric display, the technological core of current installations, uses a rigid oscillating surface—called a diffuser—that projects images at different heights, creating the illusion of objects suspended in space. The oscillation speed and the use of powerful LEDs reproduce forms, colors, and details with a fidelity that surpasses traditional two-dimensional projections, giving life to immersive environments where works seem to dance before the eyes. Studio Tangram, a leader in the production of holographic shows in Italy, highlights the expressive potential: every exhibition space can be animated by “living” artistic installations, where the work is not simply observed but becomes the active protagonist of a true scenic narrative.

An emblematic example comes from the Museo Casa di Dante, where the poet’s face is digitally reconstructed and projected as a hologram, based on portraits and historical records. This technology makes it possible to come “face to face” with the great poet and listen to an exclusive recitation of the Divine Comedy, creating an intense and memorable experience. Three-dimensional holograms enrich the visit, offering not a mere digital copy but a new way of being “inside” the work and experiencing it emotionally.

Pioneering projects are also underway, such as The Alluring Empress, Empress Theodora by Federico Solmi and Var Group, an immaterial sculpture exhibited in Venice that uses 3D human holographic technology to present the historic Byzantine empress as a contemporary figure, merging classical art with social critique. The painting is digitized through motion capture and graphic processing algorithms—the result is a suspended figure, with hypnotic colors, reflecting on modernity and inviting the public to question the role of image and memory.

The ability to create narrative paths and multisensory environments is pushing museums, galleries, and institutions to invest in these technologies. The goal is not only to enhance permanent collections but also to develop new educational strategies: young people and schools find in 3D holograms an innovative tool to learn, explore, and interact with cultural heritage without physical limitations. Some museum spaces even offer workshops where participants can experiment with digitizing works, designing small interactive models, and discovering the processes that lead from drawing to three-dimensional rendering.

Beyond the museum, the applications are endless. Circus, music, theater, street art, and even archaeology are being “enhanced” by holographic installations capable of bringing back to life artists, animals, historical objects, and live performances. Any context can be animated and made immersive by the magic of a holographic event, where digital content and real space merge in a stunning, engaging way.

The art exhibition sector is paying close attention to these developments: temporary shows enriched by 3D holograms attract an international audience, promoting and disseminating works that are difficult, fragile, or normally inaccessible. Interactivity and personalization of the visit are becoming key factors: each visitor can choose their perspective, interact with the work, and live their own creative narrative, underlining how technology can democratize art and truly make it accessible to all.

As research progresses and technologies become more refined, 3D holograms are emerging as a new aesthetic of the 21st century, destined to become an integral part of modern visual culture. Digital artists are collaborating with computer scientists, engineers, and designers to push the boundaries of the invisible ever further: every form of beauty, from a classical statue to a contemporary gesture, can be transformed into virtual presence, multiplying expressive and experiential possibilities.

In the world of contemporary art, the hallmark of the future is the union of emotion, accessibility, and technological innovation: it is the 3D hologram that allows anyone to immerse themselves in a work, to feel part of the creative process, and to discover in ever-new ways the magic of beauty, memory, and culture.