SIMULATED (60)
SIMULATED is a conceptual artwork in which Harris challenges the fidelity of the viewers’ objectivity when faced with the text on display and the extent to which they understand it. He explores the phenomenon of typoglycemia – the ability of the human mind to understand words even if the characters between the first and last are ordered incorrectly – to achieve the desired effect of simultaneous viewers perceiving different word combinations.
The artwork adopts the format of a grid of characters. It is based on the technological nostalgia of Nixie tubes: the cold-cathode gas-discharge indicator tubes that were a common form of display for electronic equipment from the mid-1950s through to the early 1970s. They were used for numeric displays, using ten layers of digits (0–9) within each glass tube. Harris has designed and fabricated new tubes that, for the first time, contain alphabetic characters. Each of his Nixie tubes is identical and contains only the letters from the word ‘SIMULATED’ with an extra ‘O’ added.
Harris selected these characters as, when scrambled, they create over 3,300 words from the English language, which is more than any other combination of letters. The resultant text and phrases are stimulating, amusing and, at times, cheekily offensive. Harris’s signature fascination with combining a variety of technology and electronics is evident within the hypnotic amber glow and antique charm of the Nixie tubes.
However, the true intent behind SIMULATED is revealed as viewers observe the endless churn of characters: to underscore the obfuscation of literary clarity and meaning, and to question the navigation of our media-saturated world. Harris's innovative and captivating work invites viewers to reflect on their own understanding and interpretation of language, as well as the potential pitfalls of an information-saturated society.
The Collection
Images
Information
Year:
2023,2017
Edition:
Edition of 8 + 2 Artist Proofs + 2 Museum Proofs
Materials:
Nixie tubes, code, electronics, Corian, aluminium
Details:
Dimensions (Metric):
Dimensions with case:
1400 (W) x 580 (H) x 180 (D) mm
Dimensions (imperial):
Dimensions with case:
55.1 (W) x 22.8 (H) x 7.0 (D) inches
Commissioned by:
Context
Dominic Harris is captivated by the nostalgic allure of Nixie tubes. With his work centered around the intersection of technology, art, and human experience, Harris is drawn to these relics of the past, which offer a connection to a simpler time and a reminder of humanity's collective technological journey.
The Nixie tube represents a tangible link to a bygone era, evoking a sense of nostalgia and a yearning for the craftsmanship and ingenuity of the past. The warm, amber glow of the tubes, combined with their intricate cathode structures, captures a unique aesthetic that modern displays cannot replicate. In Harris's work, he seeks to infuse this nostalgic appeal with contemporary concepts and techniques, creating a bridge between the past and the present.
Harris believes that the Nixie tube's obsolescence holds a mirror to modern society, serving as a reminder of the transient nature of technology and the constant evolution of our world. By incorporating these vintage components into his work, Harris aims to encourage viewers to reflect on their relationship with technology and the implications of rapid change on our collective consciousness.
His fondness for Nixie tubes also stems from the opportunities they present for artistic experimentation. The tubes' design, with its glass enclosures and cathode structures, offers a unique canvas for Harris to explore new ways of engaging viewers and stimulating the imagination. By repurposing these antiquated devices in unconventional ways, he seeks to challenge conventional artistic boundaries and spark dialogue on the evolving role of art in a technology-driven world.