Based in Stafford, and distributed through a US facility, Hololollies are lollipop candies made with hologram technology. Each Holololly candy is laser etched with stars, skulls or other images creating an illusion that seems to leap out at the viewer. The lollies are safe to eat, with no dyes, colourings, or additives in the holograms.

Across the world, mints continue to recognise the eye-catching appeal of holograms for their commemorative coin programmes for the collectors’ market, says Dr Paul Dunn, chair of the IHMA.

The first time I encountered Dr Ioana Pioaru’s work with holographic sculptures was during my visit to Geola’s research labs in the UK for an interview with Prof David Brotherton-Ratcliffe – founder of the Geola Group. Ioana is artist-in-residence at the research facility and her studio is on the second floor above Geola’s OptoLab.