Dominic Harris uses groundbreaking technology to construct personal interpretations of the natural phenomena which surround us. His love of the natural world, coupled with his fascination for code, offers a surreal and whimsical take on reality, challenging the viewer’s perception of the world around them.
As technology, ever-changing and fascinating, occupies our lives in more intimate ways, Harris captures the sometimes menacing march of the information age, turning it to our advantage in a seamless blending of nature and code. He is part of an innovative community of artists who are pushing the envelope of possibility within the medium and redefining the relationship between technology and art.
Harris’s inspiration is rooted in the traditions of art history, particularly that of still life. Bloomed Wall is made up of four high-resolution video panels, depicting the progression of the classical subject, starting with the traditional image of a large vase of flowers within a banquet setting. Surrounding the bouquet are elements traditionally found in the vanitas paintings of the seventeenth century including a globe, candles and a small book, revealing the classical inspiration behind the piece. Unlike the traditional still life images of art history, Harris’s Bloomed Wall subtly moves and reacts to the viewers movements and touch, drawing a visual paradox between the recognisable portrayal of still life and the wonders of modern day technology. The scene continues to progress from the traditional image, to a final scene of complete abstraction, as flower petals float freely about the panel, their direction dictated by the viewer's movements.
Harris’s journey through art history continues into the more modern images of recent pop culture. Currently one of the only artists ever awarded permission by The Walt Disney Company to use its images, Harris playfully reinterprets the iconic and nostalgic characters in works such as Mickey and Minnie which explores the ever-evolving love story between the two protagonists, a romance that has spanned 90 years. The eight-piece artwork Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, offers a unique opportunity to interact with each distinct character, removing them from their collective setting and allowing for engagement with signature personality traits.
A major feature of Dominic Harris’s work is the playful element of interaction, whether referring to the human interaction with the digitalised reality, or the physical experience the viewer has with the interactive work. According to Harris "The art is in the delight that manifests when the viewer interacts with each piece." Harris’s oeuvre explores the meaning of this connection: the screen, the data, the coding, become one mirror we can look through to find a space of imagination and creativity.