Early Life and Education

August Muth was born in 1955 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His fascination with light began at the age of 16 when he started creating large water-filled glass prisms to refract prismatic light onto surfaces. This early interest in the properties of light laid the foundation for his future career in holography.

In 1973, Muth moved to Aspen, Colorado, where he worked as a jewelry maker and became captivated by the light of opals and diamonds. This experience further fueled his interest in light and optics. He returned to Albuquerque in 1974 to pursue formal studies in art and physics at the University of New Mexico. He later continued his education at the University of Houston and the University of Texas at Austin.

Career and Artistic Development

In 1978, Muth relocated to New York City to embark on his journey as an artist. Two years later, he began his exploration of holography at the Museum of Holography in Soho under the mentorship of Fred Unterseher. This period marked the beginning of his lifelong dedication to the art of holography.

In 1985, Muth moved to Telluride, Colorado, where he established his first holographic studio. Over the next seven years, he honed his skills in the Denisyuk single-beam holography technique, deepening his exploration of the relationship between light, space, and time. In 1994, he relocated his studio to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he continues to work today.

Artistic Contributions and Techniques

Muth’s work is characterized by his innovative use of light and holography to create immersive and dynamic visual experiences. His holograms often depict simple geometric forms that exist within unconfined free space, with polychromatic colors that shift and interact spatially with the viewer. He views his work as an exploration into the analogue realm of the photon, aiming to uncover the mysteries of light itself.

Exhibitions and Public Collections

Muth has exhibited his work internationally for over 30 years. Some notable solo exhibitions include:

• 2022: Deepening the Light, Pie Projects, Santa Fe, NM
• 2021: August Muth, Multi-Arts Pavilion, Lake Macquarie, AUS
• 2019: Material Light, Gallery Sonja Roesch, Houston, TX
• 2017: Light Works, Chandra Cerrito Contemporary, Oakland, CA
• 2016: New Works, Hulse Warman Gallery, Taos, NM
• 2010: Zane Bennett Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM
  
  

His works are also part of several public collections, including:

• Museum of Holography, New York, NY
• MIT Museum, Cambridge, MA
• Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY
• Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH
  
  

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Muth has received several grants and awards, including:

• 2010: Charles Strong Foundation, Taos, NM
• 1994: Shearwater Foundation, Fort Lauderdale, FL
  
  

Lectures and Publications

Muth has shared his expertise through various lectures and published papers, including:

• 2019: Artist Talk: August Muth, Urban Glass, Brooklyn, NY
• 2015: What was I Thinking when I thought producing 4 by 5 foot Denisyuk DCG Holograms was a good idea, ISDH Conference, ISTO University, St. Petersburg, Russia
• 2012: Investigating the Spherical Nature of Light through large format DCG emulsions on glass, ISDH Conference, MIT Media Lab, Cambridge, MA
• 2011: Holography, Glass, and the exploration of Light – Space, Glass Arts Society Conference, Seattle, WA
  
  

Conclusion

August Muth’s pioneering work in holography has significantly contributed to the field of light art. His innovative techniques and dedication to exploring the light-space-time continuum have earned him international recognition and a lasting legacy in the art world.