The small transfer you have was made at Richmond Holographic studios in 1984. That is when I gave it to Adrian.
It is a two color image plane reflection hologram made on a Agfa silver halide plate presensitized with TEA.
Adrian and I were friends. I taught Holography at Richmond until 1984. Adrian hired me 1n 1985 to repair his massive sand table after one of his tire inner tubes suspending the table blew. The table torqued and cracked. I got the job done in time for him to use it when he came back from South Africa.
Sadly it was his ashes that returned.
I remember the day clearly.
I was at Adrian studio when I received a call from my sister in America saying that my Dad was in hospital with a severe sepsis.
The phone soon rang again. I assumed it was an update from my sister.
It was however a call from a South African reporter asking for biographical information about Adrian.
I said why? He asked if I knew that Adrian was dead. I was totally stunned.
Later, the phone rang again, my sister on the line. She said that Dad's not going to make it, can you fly out tomorrow.- Yes.
I did get to Buffalo, NY a couple days before my father died.
I stayed with my family for a week or so to spend time with, Mom, six sisters and a brother.
Went back to England with nothing more to do but wrap things up, my girlfriend and I to return home to California.
We took a few days to say good by to friends.
Graham Saxby, Martin Richardson and a couple of others approached me at the time and strongly suggested that I apply for the tutor position at the RCA. I mentioned that to my girlfriend Arlene.
Perhaps we could stick around a bit longer. No, she was finished and said I didn't have a chance against the competition. I agreed, let's go home, however Graham persisted and I stayed for the interview.
Arlene returned to California to organize a welcome home party.
At the interview was Graham Saxby as well as Michael Langford, head of the Photography dept., John Hedgeco college Pro Rector and special consultant Nick Phillips. I'm not sure, but Martin may have been there too.
The interview went well enough. I do have a degree in art education with extensive teaching experience.
My portfolio of Holograms was well received, one in particular was noticed, a piece titled "Barracuda 64".
I created a holographic shrine to my 1964 Plymouth Barracuda hot rod after it was retired.
I took the radio out, the license plate, keys and other bits to make an automotive two color composition with the radio and its projecting buttons as the main feature. What was also included was a small radio attached to the back of the picture frame with a pressure sensitive switch.
It was the last hologram shown as the interview concluded.
The Pro Rector commented that "Perhaps in the future a hologram like that can play".
I pushed the virtual button and it did.
All were surprised.
I got the job.
And later, Adrian's studio as well."
P.M.2023
