Spectrum Immersive
The immersive installation of 'Spectrum' places the viewer in the centre of a triptych of colourful digital tapestries of butterflies that marries technological artistry with the thematic resonances of the natural world, presented as hypnotic radial harmonies and colour gradients. Through the interaction of touch and time, it transitions through the spectrum, engaging the viewer in a deeper reflection on order, beauty, and life's inherent chaos.' Constructed with his characteristic meticulous attention to detail, 'Spectrum' showcases Harris’s ever-expanding collection of digitally rendered, hand-painted butterflies, each appearing vibrantly lifelike. These butterflies are arranged in concentric circles, creating a dynamic kaleidoscope that suggests spontaneity and precise orchestration.
The geometric patterning, radiating outward from the central protagonist—a favoured and recurring motif, the blue Morpho Helena—underscores a sense of perpetual movement and transformation, mirroring the natural life cycle of the butterflies themselves. The vibrancy of the colours and the delicate movement of the butterflies not only mimic the organic randomness of nature but also echo the aesthetic principles of Romanticism, emphasising the individual's emotional experience and the awe of the natural world. This piece invites interactive engagement, allowing viewers to influence the motion and array of the butterflies, thus playing a direct role in the artwork’s ever-evolving dance of creation.
The Collection
Images
Information
Year:
2024
Edition:
Limited Edition
Materials:
multiple 4K Video Projectors, 3d Sensors, Laser Rangefinders, Code, Electronics
Details:
Dimensions (Metric):
Variable
Dimensions (imperial):
Commissioned by:
Context
The immersive version of Spectrum by Dominic Harris is a fully enveloping experience, where viewers step into a room surrounded by large-scale projections that envelop the walls. As participants enter, they are immersed in a kaleidoscopic world of hand-painted digital butterflies that appear to flutter around them, creating a vibrant digital ecosystem. The butterflies are displayed in an array of concentric patterns, which radiate outwards, filling the space with dynamic, shifting colours and intricate movements. The central figure, the blue Morpho Helena butterfly, remains a focal point, its iridescence amplified across the expansive digital canvas to emphasize the ongoing cycle of transformation and renewal—a recurring theme in Harris’s work .
This immersive setup allows for a heightened level of interaction, where viewers are not merely observers but participants within the artwork itself. As they move through the space, their presence disrupts the order of the butterflies, causing them to take flight, breaking apart the carefully orchestrated geometries projected onto the walls. This interaction introduces a dynamic element of chaos, temporarily dissolving the structure before the butterflies gradually return to their concentric formations, restoring a sense of order. The immersive environment enhances the viewer’s emotional and sensory engagement, emphasising the themes of transformation and balance as they navigate a world that responds to their movements.