The Renaissance Cultural & Intellectual Foundation in cooperation with “The Interactive World” company, has recreated William Saroyan’s presence in the Museum. Visitors can now view an updated Saroyan Hologram, which includes the “Three Ages of Saroyan”.
The research, which took months to conduct, presents the most accurate portrayal of Saroyan. A photograph taken by Dan Weiner in 1953 served as a basis for recreating the interior of the Hologram room. Archival photos and both personal and interview recordings were used for the recreation of the characters. Archival recordings of Saroyan were utilized to create a longer and more exciting Hologram content, which also represents Saroyan at three different stages of life.
The visitor will now have the opportunity to see Saroyan first as a telegraph messenger who was wandering in the streets of Fresno—dreaming about becoming a writer. Twelve-year-old Karen Margarian plays this part. Songwriter, TV host, and actor Avet Barseghyan portrays the young, successful, and ambitious playwright at the peak of his fame. And last but not least, Baron Hovnanian, a veteran real-estate developer and patron to charities, portrays Fresno’s favorite bicycle rider—the famous writer with gentle eyes and walrus mustache.