SHEARWATER FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES HOLOGRAPHY GRANTS FOR 1998

 FT. Lauderdale, Florida, December 30th 1998 - - The Shearwater Foundation announced today that its Board of Directors has awarded $110,000.00 in grants through its Holography Program this year. The Shearwater Foundation Holography Program provides funding to institutions and associations that contribute to the understanding and appreciation of art holography world-wide. The Foundation also recognises individual creative excellence within the field by providing an annual Holography Award.

The DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park of Lincoln Massachusetts, USA, was awarded a grant of $22,500.00 towards the production of a major art catalogue in connection with the retrospective exhibition Harriet Casdin-Silver: The Art of Holography. This is the first time the Foundation has provided funding towards a catalogue of this type and is some indication of the high regard it places on the important and pioneering work of Ms. Casdin-Silver.

Professor Dieter Jung received $5,000.00, the second part of a two year grant towards the documentation of the major conference and exhibition Holographic Network, which took place in Berlin, Germany, during 1996 and brought together key artists and scientists in the field.

Art in Holography2, received a grant of $10,000 to complete the second year funding of a publication to document the international symposium, dedicated to the art of holography, which took place in Nottingham, England, during 1996. The grant was also given to assist with the research and production of and major Web site which will not only document the Nottingham Symposium but also the first International Congress on Art in Holography, organised by Prof. Douglas E.Tyler, which took place in Indiana, USA, during 1990.

The Center for the Holographic Arts, Long Island City, USA, was given a grant of $50,000.00 to assist with the development of the new international Artist-in-Residence program it is developing. This is the first part of a three year grant and is the largest contribution to a single project in the Foundation's 11 year history. The Center is directed by Ana Nicholson and Dan Schweitzer, both acknowledged artists and teachers, and aims to provide a range of creative opportunities for artists around the world who would like to work in a well equipped, professional and supportive environment.

Eduardo Kac received $10,000.00 as the second part of a two year grant towards the research, writing and production of his book Multiple Views: Critical Writings on Holographic Art, which will bring together, in one publication, some of the most significant writings on the subject.

The German Society for Holography, Halle, Germany, received $2,500.00, the first part of a two year grant, to assist in the production and distribution of their English/German publication Interferenzen. This not only provides information on many aspects of creative holography to an international audience, but offers a platform for artists to write about, and discuss, their own work.

The 1998 Shearwater Foundation Holography Award was presented to Philippe Boissonnet of Outremont, Canada in recognition of his talent and achievement in the field of art holography. He received a cheque for $10,000.00. Nominations for the Holography Award were provided, as in previous years, by a confidential group of international advisors.