Dominic Harris Ruffled: Blue and Yellow Macaw
2014
Code, software, display screen, electronics, sensor, aluminium, acrylic
51.8 x 44.6 x 7.2 cm
Edition of 8 + 2 Artist Proofs + 2 Museum Proofs
RUFFLED: BLUE AND YELLOW MACAW
The Ruffled artworks capture Harris’s fascination with presenting animals within an abstracted display as he turns his attention to the world of ornithology, creating living portrait studies of the birds about which he is most intrigued. The birds are brought to life through startlingly realistic virtual representations on screen. At first they appear to be merely posing for a portrait, but when the viewer approaches they become animated, encouraging further interaction.
Ara ararauna
Their faces are white and black and they have a large, powerful black beak. When they get excited, their white faces will sometimes appear pink. Macaws have extremely powerful beaks that are used to break open seeds and also as a third foot for climbing.
