Detroit Institute of Arts given suite of holograms by Louise Bourgeois from Guy and Nora Lee Barron

Updated May 10, 2018

May 9, 2018 (Detroit)—The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) announced today that it has been given “Untitled,” a suite of eight holograms by Louise Bourgeois from longtime art collectors and patrons Guy and Nora Lee Barron.

Bourgeois created the eight holograms in 1998, when she was among a group of artists approached by C-Project, a former New York hologram studio. The imagery in the holograms highlight objects that illustrate a psychological portrait of the artist’s youth and upbringing. A large chair with three smaller chairs nestled beneath recalls the protective nature of her mother to the artist and her two siblings. The beds with mechanical feet reference her father’s infidelity with her tutor who lived in the family home. The extraordinary detail and red tone of these images pulls viewers into the life of Bourgeois.

“The incredible textures and details of the holograms offer three-dimensional images of actual objects,” said Laurie Ann Farrell, DIA curator and department head, James Pearson Duffy Department of Contemporary Art after 1950. “This monumental gift to the museum engages visitors in a unique and moving experience.”

The DIA owns two other Bourgeois sculptures, “The Blind Leading the Blind” and “Untitled from ACT UP Art Box,” and two works on paper, “Spider” and “Mother and Child.” This suite is the first of its kind to enter the DIA collection.

Guy and Nora Barron are longtime members and supporters of the museum. Both come from notable local families of art collectors and donors. The Barrons have themselves collected art since the mid-1960s, and own work by many of the best known contemporary artists. They have previously supported the DIA’s acquisition of works of modern and contemporary art.

“Guy and Nora are clever collectors and they and their families have been dedicated supporters of the arts since the mid-1960s. We are very grateful and thank them for their generosity,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA director. “Bourgeois’ fascinating set of holograms stimulate imaginations, trigger our senses and will spark conversations among our visitors, which are some of the reactions great art is meant to evoke.”

May 9, 2018 (Detroit)—The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) announced today that it has been given “Untitled,” a suite of eight holograms by Louise Bourgeois from longtime art collectors and patrons Guy and Nora Lee Barron.

Bourgeois created the eight holograms in 1998, when she was among a group of artists approached by C-Project, a former New York hologram studio. The imagery in the holograms highlight objects that illustrate a psychological portrait of the artist’s youth and upbringing. A large chair with three smaller chairs nestled beneath recalls the protective nature of her mother to the artist and her two siblings. The beds with mechanical feet reference her father’s infidelity with her tutor who lived in the family home. The extraordinary detail and red tone of these images pulls viewers into the life of Bourgeois.

“The incredible textures and details of the holograms offer three-dimensional images of actual objects,” said Laurie Ann Farrell, DIA curator and department head, James Pearson Duffy Department of Contemporary Art after 1950. “This monumental gift to the museum engages visitors in a unique and moving experience.”

The DIA owns two other Bourgeois sculptures, “The Blind Leading the Blind” and “Untitled from ACT UP Art Box,” and two works on paper, “Spider” and “Mother and Child.” This suite is the first of its kind to enter the DIA collection.

Guy and Nora Barron are longtime members and supporters of the museum. Both come from notable local families of art collectors and donors. The Barrons have themselves collected art since the mid-1960s, and own work by many of the best known contemporary artists. They have previously supported the DIA’s acquisition of works of modern and contemporary art.

“Guy and Nora are clever collectors and they and their families have been dedicated supporters of the arts since the mid-1960s. We are very grateful and thank them for their generosity,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA director. “Bourgeois’ fascinating set of holograms stimulate imaginations, trigger our senses and will spark conversations among our visitors, which are some of the reactions great art is meant to evoke.”