Dominic Harris


Dominic Harris is a British artist known for integrating modern technology and classical design in his interactive artworks.

Background

Dominic Harris was born in London on 16 November 1976, and grew up in London, Brussels, and Michigan before returning to London in 1995. Harris attended the Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School, and then trained as an architect at the Bartlett School of Architecture, and has been ARB registered since 2011.
Harris designs and fabricates his artworks at Dominic Harris Studio, a multi-disciplinary practice he founded in 2007. This studio consists of 30 people with diverse backgrounds including architecture, product design, electronics, programming, graphic design, and workshop skills.
Harris uses the resources of his studio for the ongoing development, prototyping and production of his artworks. Harris also oversees the studio's international projects where his fascinations are translated into larger scale projects that span residential, retail, and public art projects. In 2015, Harris was granted permission by the Walt Disney Company to use their Intellectual Property for the purpose of making new interactive artworks. Harris is the only artist to gain permission to use Disney's back catalogue of characters, and led him to creating his interactive versions of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Mickey and Minnie: An Interactive Diptych".
Harris is also the founding partner of a sister studio in London called Cinimod Studio that creates large commissioned installations, interactive events and lighting designs for large brands.

Works

TitleYearDetailsMaterials
2011 & ongoingLighting artworks exhibiting an infinity effect of changing colour palettesGlass, LED, electronics, metal.
Four States2011Interactive video artwork in which the viewer manipulates black and white depictions of various states of waterCode, electronics, computer, display, 3D camera, metal.
Flutter2011Interactive video artwork comprising 88 video screens depicting the movement of a Morpho Helena butterfly in flight. This artwork can be found on public display at the Borusan Contemporary Art CollectionCode, electronics, sensors, computer, mirror, metal.
Ice Angel2012Interactive LED artwork in which the viewer becomes a performer who is depicted with their unique angel wingsCode, electronics, 3D sensor, computer, acrylic, metal.
Baby Flutter2012A series of interactive artworks depicting various species of butterfliesCode, electronics, display screen, aluminium.
Deep Blue Interactive Aquarium2012Interactive video artwork depicting a series of aquatic scenesCode, electronics, computer, 4K touch display, 3D camera, metal.
Chess Block2013An illuminated colour changing chess board primarily fabricated from optical glassGlass, LED, electronics, stainless steel.
Shimmer2013A series of illuminated colour studies in which the colours seen varies in relationship to the viewing angleGlass, lightbox, stainless steel.
Ruffled2014A series of interactive animated studies of various species of birdsCode, display screen, electronics, aluminium, acrylic.
Stained Glass: Arboretum2015A transparent LCD screen artwork in which flower growths appear in interactive response to the viewerCode, electronics, computer, transparent OLED display, 3D sensor, metal.
Flutter Wall2015A touch reactive array of butterflies arranged in a grid on the screenCode, electronics, computer, 4K touch display, 3D camera, metal.
Digital Shimmer2015A three dimensional LED lighting art sculpture of oscillating colour blendsCode, electronics, GRG, metal.
Baby Angel2015A visual digital recording of the participants interaction when on Ice AngelCorian, electronics, code.
Vanity Mirror2015An exploration of the multiplicity of the image in contemporary societyCameras, screens, electronics, code, metal.
Conductor2015A highly interactive artwork allowing the participant to manipulate the planets with a variety of gesturesCode, electronics, computer, display, speakers, metal.
Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs2015An 8-screen interactive video artwork featuring real-time animated characters from the Snow White and Seven Dwarfs Disney movie. Made with the permission of The Walt Disney CompanyCode, electronics, computer, display, 3D sensor, metal, acrylic
Bloomed2016A series of interactive animated studies of various species of flowersCode, display screen, electronics, aluminium, acrylic.
Deserted2016A highly interactive digital artwork allowing the viewer to explore a series of desert scenesCode, electronics, computer, 4K touch display, metal.
Flutter Hologram2017Electronically holographic display of butterflies projected within a glass bell jarCode, electronics, screen, blown glass, acrylic, ply.
Flight is a Waltz: Puppet Flutter2017Electronically interactive model of a butterfly presented within a glass display jar. A collaboration between Harris and puppeteer, Oliver SmartBrass, blown glass, aluminium, code, electronics.
Bloomed Wall2017A highly interactive digital artwork allowing the viewer to explore a series of scenes inspired by masters of the Dutch Golden AgeCode, electronics, computer, 4K touch display, 3D sensor, metal.
SIMULATED2017An interactive artwork using the resurrected technology of the Nixie tubeNixie tubes, code, electronics, Corian, aluminium.
Baby Shimmer2018A study of the colour shifting volumes of light that respond to the movement of the viewer.Glass, aluminium, electronics, acrylic.
Mickey & Minnie: An Interactive Diptych2018A two-screen interactive video artwork which allows viewers to act as the catalyst for unique interactions and character narratives from Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Made with the permission of The Walt Disney Company.Code, electronics, computer, 4K touch display, 3D sensor, metal.
Swell2019A kinetic light sculpture commissioned for "Spectrum of the Seas", Royal Caribbean cruise ship.Carbon fibre, electronics, code, Swarovski crystal, aluminium.

Exhibitions

The works of Dominic Harris have been exhibited internationally, both through direct representation and gallery representation.
Solo shows:
Recent exhibitions include:
The majority of Harris's work has been bought by private collectors. Since 2012 Harris's work is also being acquired by several large institutional collections, including the Borusan Contemporary Art Collection in Istanbul. Harris's artworks include some of the biggest and most respected international art collectors and are also displayed in public spaces.

Books