Data Visualization Emerges as a Cultural Artform Amid Surveillance and Big Data
Over the last ten years, data visualization has emerged as a significant artistic medium, shaped by the influences of big data and surveillance culture. Its roots trace back to the 19th century, with media outlets such as Le Monde Diplomatique and The Washington Post adopting it. Key contributions include 'Information Is Beautiful' by David McCandless (2010) and Eduardo Salcedo-Albarán's depiction of 'La Familia Michoacana' (2010). The 2014 'Big Bang Data' exhibition at Barcelona's CCCB, co-curated by Olga Subirós and José-Luis de Vicente, highlighted data's role as a form of cultural expression. Critics like Edward Tufte caution against oversimplifying data, while Stephanie Hankey co-founded Tactical Tech. Mushon Zer-Aviv's 2014 essay discusses biases in data, with artists such as Hito Steyerl and Trevor Paglen exploring the complexities of big data. This article originally appeared in December 2014.
Key facts
- Data visualization has become a popular artform within a decade, driven by big data and surveillance culture.
- The exhibition 'Big Bang Data' took place in 2014 at CCCB in Barcelona, co-curated by José-Luis de Vicente and Olga Subirós.
- Edward Tufte's 'Beautiful Evidence' (2006) is a key text warning against oversimplification in data visualizations.
- David McCandless's 'Information Is Beautiful' (2010) and Eduardo Salcedo-Albarán's cartel visualization are notable works.
- A 'Data Cuisine Workshop' at Barcelona's Sónar Festival used food to visualize data like emigration patterns.
- Stephanie Hankey cofounded Tactical Tech to bridge gaps between NGOs and graphics studios for advocacy campaigns.
- Mushon Zer-Aviv's 2014 essay analyzes how data visualizations can be manipulative, using examples from U.S. debates.
- Artists including Hito Steyerl, Trevor Paglen, and Camille Henrot explore big data themes, contrasting with data visualization's tendency to reject ambiguities.
Entities
Artists
- David McCandless
- Eduardo Salcedo-Albarán
- José-Luis de Vicente
- Olga Subirós
- Chris Jordan
- Edward Tufte
- Stephanie Hankey
- Mushon Zer-Aviv
- Hito Steyerl
- Trevor Paglen
- Camille Henrot
Institutions
- The Washington Post
- Le Monde Diplomatique
- CCCB
- Sónar Festival
- Tactical Tech
- Wikileaks
- Visualising Palestine
- Yale
Locations
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Mexico
- United States
- Iraq
- Finland
- West Bank
- Israel