Travis Vermilye - "Bound: Network 002 [Earth]," "Bound: Network 003 [Pine]," "Bound: Network 005 [Aspen]," "Bound: Network 006 [Ash]"

The four pieces on display from Vermilye's Bound series represent his deep appreciation for nature—particularly the tiny macro worlds that are often passed by unnoticed. From the trees and shrubs in our yards and parks to the tiny microorganisms that thrive on decaying leaves, twigs, and mulch in our urban landscape, nature surrounds us and binds us together. For this series, Vermilye studied and photographed the natural elements in his immediate surroundings—his yard and the parks near his home. Organic spherical forms wrapped in the textures and colors of Earth along with Aspen, Ash, and Pine tree bark provide a warm, recognizable representation of nature while complex networks engulfing the forms represent the microorganisms that bind our world together. Vast mycelial (fungi) networks exist below the soil and act as underground highways for delivery of vital nutrients and chemical information that allow larger organisms to thrive. These quiet heroes of nature exist largely without our knowledge, only showing themselves when it is time to reproduce by generating the fruiting bodies that we call mushrooms. After studying the networks these organisms create, Vermilye used computer simulations to generate similar structures which surround the forms in Bound. 

In addition to being a nature enthusiast, Vermilye is fond of technology and uses it in his work to amplify the viewer's experience. Each piece on display exists simultaneously as a physical work of art and an Augmented Reality (AR) digital work. Look for Near Field Communication (NFC) chips near each image. Using your smart phone to scan the NFC chip (similar to the way credit card chips can be tapped) these proximity activated sensors open a webpage that enables you to experience an animated version of each piece through your phone's camera.