In 2012, during mega music festival Coachella, rapper Snoop Dogg invited a very special guest to perform with him onstage. People went nuts when Tupac Shakur stood alongside him for the song. Why? Tupac died on September 13, 1996. But wait minute, this is no magic voodoo thing — this is real science. And some high level technology.
Ever since I watched the live stream of Snoop Dogg’s performance, I haven’t been the same. Holograms are amazing. Just imagine the possibilities: all your favourite dead musicians playing shows again — you saw the Beatles live in Wembley in ’65? Yeah well, I’m getting tickets to their 2017 concert.
To believe in the power of the hologram, you have to hold it in the palm of your hand. Quite literally. British YouTuber and tech reviewer Mrwhosetheboss showed me the light. Sure, it’s not gonna make Whitney Houston sing in my living room any time soon, but I can now generate a 3D hologram on my smartphone. Some materials, some steps, and you’re good to go.
1. Scavenge
Steal a shitty CD from your sister, get a decent blade, some cellophane tape and a marker.
2. Warm Up Exercises
Destroy the CD sleeve as a statement and a stand against shitty music. No more trashy boybands!
3. Shape Up
Make 4 trapezoids using the CD case. Mark the case first before cutting it with the blade. I freewheeled it, but the shorter bit should be roughly 1cm, the longer part 6cm, and the height 3.5 to 4cm. (It might have taken me 2 shitty CDs.)
4. Construction Time
Stick the shapes together using the tape into a bowl with a small square hole at the base. It doesn’t have to look super pretty or designer — it’ll work perfectly fine even if it is a little rough-looking.
5. Project Some Art
Prop the projector on your phone and you’re ready to project your first 3D hologram ever. Kill the lights, gather round, and get mesmerised by the power of science and DIY craftsmanship. Choose a specific video that will best demonstrate the hologram — Mrwhosetheboss recommends this one.
While watching jellyfish float and hummingbirds flit around in my jewel case prison, I decided to stick my finger in the projector and watch the colours dance on my skin. It felt…hollow. It’s not much, but hey, makes for a pretty neat party trick, eh? Great for cool parents who want to impress their kids, first dates, crafty people, hard-to-impress kids and people, bored people, dinner party hosts — everyone, really. Let’s hope there will be more hologram-specific videos available soon.