**Pearl John**

School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; pj@soton.ac.uk

Received: 19 July 2019; Accepted: 5 September 2019; Published: 10 September 2019

**Abstract:** The purpose of this article is to provide a plausible answer as to whether the *Z*-axis of holographic space can be used to depict a chronological narrative with an a ffective impact. This article describes a practice-based holographic arts study in which the author created interactive artworks with family photographs taken from the late 1800s to the present day, and stacked them in chronological order within the *Z*-axis of holographic space. The artworks were evaluated by di fferent audiences to determine whether the viewer could perceive the new application of holographic space, and whether the artwork had an a ffective impact. An art critique method used both in Higher Education settings in the UK and in professional art practice, was adapted as a research tool for use in this study and termed 'the silent researcher critique'. The findings of the project were that audiences had a new experience when interacting with the works and were impacted emotionally by them, however only a group of experts in art and holography were able to identify and comprehend the new conceptual use of the *Z*-axis of holographic space. This study's value can be measured by its offering practice-based arts researchers a novel method of obtaining valuable critical feedback from peers and by its contribution to the aesthetic development of the medium of art holography.

**Keywords:** holography; holograms; digital animated hologram; holographic space; practice-based methodology
