ISIA Firenze Conference Explores Infographics and Infoesthetics

The ISIA of Florence is hosting a conference titled 'Infografica e Infoestetica' on May 11-12, 2018, at the Scuderie di Villa Strozzi. The event, organized by Mirko Balducci among others, examines the evolution of infographics and the emerging field of infoesthetics, a term popularized by Lev Manovich. The conference aims to discuss data visualization as both an informative and entertainment medium, addressing the blurring lines between information and spectacle. Balducci critiques the current trend of prioritizing aesthetic appeal over comprehension, warning against the misconception that data is objective. He traces infographics' roots to the 19th century and highlights the influence of Otto Neurath and Gerd Arntz's Isotype system in the 1920s-30s. The event features workshops and talks on topics like 'Infopoetry' by Ciuccarelli and Zingale, and virtual reality data visualization by Fabio Franchino and Giovanni Profeta. Notable Italian designers include Matteo Moretti and Gianluca Monaco. Balducci also mentions Wild Mazzini in Turin as the first gallery dedicated solely to data visualization. The conference emphasizes the need for critical data literacy from primary education onwards.