Volume I, Issue 3

This quarter's issue brings together four very unique and diverse works. However, each of these projects and papers discusses a key element relevant to us all — how our physical presence to the objects around us builds additional stimuli to the people that also surround us. From explorations into social information sources (via portable and novel technologies) as a reflection and creator of physical spaces, to visualizing massive group dynamics, this issue's contributors provide us the ability to envision new realities from existing constructs. Looking at these projects as disparate entities will enable you to deeply dive into the conceptual and fabrication intricacies of each one. I urge you, however, to look at these works as a larger system which together posit new methods with which to visualize the many information sources that we interact with every day. — Brian Willison, Publisher, Parsons Journal for Information Mapping

	Calm Technologies 2.0: Visualising Social Data as an Experience in Physical Space Michael Hohl, PhD In this paper we present our research into the next generation of calm technologies and a concept of information visualization where data is not rendered as graphs, charts or diagrams on the screen but as a sensual experience... Read entire abstract | Read author's biography | Read project metadata Download Essay PDF (7pgs, 1.1Mb) Abstract In this paper we present our research into the next generation of calm technologies and a concept of information visualization where data is not rendered as graphs, charts or diagrams on the screen but as a sensual experience Close this window Biography Michael Hohl is a designer and researcher working with digital media. He likes making things, thinking about things, how we do them and what they mean to us. He studied Visual Communication and the University of the Arts Berlin and at the Cologne International School of Design before completing an interdisciplinary Ph.D. research program (Fine Art/Computer Sciences) at Sheffield Hallam University (UK) in 2007. Presently he is investigating "calm technologies" and telematics at the University of Hertfordshire. Michael lives and works in St Albans. His work is documented at www.hohlwelt.com/en. Close this window Project Metadata Project Title: Calm Technologies 2.0: Visualising social data as an experience in physical space Keywords: Emotional design, user experience, multi-modal displays, ambient displays, awareness displays, presence indication, calm technology, ubiquitous computing Close this window
	Conflating Boundaries to Envision Urban Public Health Shriya Malhotra, MA This article explores the important role of visual and spatial analysis in addressing Urban Public Health needs. It focuses particularly on the need for a multidimensional approach that incorporates design, visualization and aesthetics to create... Read entire abstract | Read author's biography | Read project metadata Download Essay PDF (27pgs, 2Mb) Abstract This article explores the important role of visual and spatial analysis in addressing Urban Public Health needs. It focuses particularly on the need for multidimensional approach that incorporates design, visualization and aesthetics to create evidence-based arguments. It also explores the role of technologies, such as geographic information systems (GIS), in visualizing epidemiological data and the important findings that may be extrapolated. It first addresses the multifaceted and changing nature of public health - particularly the growing influence of environmental and social determinants of health and their impact on human wellbeing and development. It discusses the history of mapping/visualization/spatial analysis for public health, beginning with John Snow. It concludes with an optimistic outlook of the potential applying visual analysis and technologies to overcome gaps in public health, providing research insights into more effectively addressing the basic needs of people in both the developing and developed world. Close this window Biography Shriya Malhotra completed an MA in Cities and Urbanization from the graduate Program in International Affairs at the New School. She is interested in visual analysis and applying mapping technologies for human health and wellbeing. Close this window Project Metadata Project Title: Conflating Boundaries to Envision Urban Public Health Keywords: Urban, public health, spatial analysis, mapping, data visualization, design, human development, developing and developed countries. Close this window
	Stockwatch, a Tool for Composition with Complex Data Samuel Van Ransbeeck and Carlos Guedes Composers always have used extra-musical elements in their music. From ancient Greece to nowadays, composers have been attracted by numbers to use in their compositions. This paper focuses on one kind of data... Read entire abstract | Read author's biography | Read project metadata Download Project Documentation PDF (3pgs, 120kb) Abstract Composers always have used extra-musical elements in their music. From ancient Greece to nowadays, composers have been attracted by numbers to use in their compositions. This paper focuses on one kind of data, more specifically the use of stock market data. A software tool to sonify stock market data is presented with all its possibilities and examples. The goal of this program is to show seemingly boring data stream (financial data) can be transformed in a credible music composition. Close this window Biographies Samuel Van Ransbeeck is a Belgian composer, currently residing in Portugal. He is enrolled in the Masters course of composition at ESMAE in Porto. His work ranges from acoustical to electronic composition and multimedia projects. Carlos Guedes is a Portugese composer. He holds a PhD in composition and focuses on the field of interactive music. Currently, he is coordinator of the Masters course of composition at ESMAE in Porto, Portugal. Close this window Project Metadata Project Title: Stockwatch, a Tool for Composition with Complex Data Keywords: algorithmic composition, stock market, sonification, Max/MSP, generative music, computer art Year of Project: 2008 Close this window
	Stepping on the Light Michael Filimowicz, MFA Stepping on the Light is part of a series of works exploring the creative potentials of extremely portable digital devices. This work was shot with the camcorder feature of a credit-card sized digital camera, and explores two extremes of video display... Read entire abstract | Read author's biography | Read project metadata View Stepping on the Light online Download Project Documentation PDF (1pg, 270kb) Abstract Stepping on the Light is part of a series of works exploring the creative potentials of extremely portable digital devices. This work was shot with the camcorder feature of a credit-card sized digital camera, and explores two extremes of video display scales, that of pocket video and large scale projection. The protagonist of this video is modeled on the notion of an avatar in virtual space, only this avatar is wandering "real space" (downtown Chicago) in a semi-virtual environment (video footage). The duality of the layered image aims to illustrate this split-subjectivity of real and represented walker/avatar navigating in a not-quite-aimless fashion through the Cartesian grids of the urban matrix, a grid-space also redolent of game environments. Traditionally, Cartesian coordinates have aimed at Control, Predictability, and Accuracy in the modeling and manipulation of space. The approach of the protagonist in Stepping on the Light is to highlight the embodied and pleasurable aspects of navigation. The noise in imagery, an effect of the technology of portable image capture, is reproduced in the soundtrack, which marries noise and video game soundscapes. Close this window Biography Michael Filimowicz is an interdisciplinary artist working in the areas of sound, experimental video, net art, digital photography, creative writing and public art. He is on the faculty in the School of Interactive Arts and Technology at Simon Fraser University. Close this window Project Metadata Project Title: Stepping on the Light Keywords: Cartesian space, mobile media, soundscapes, avatar, virtual, experimental video, installation, display scales Year of Project: 2008 URL: http://spatula.ca/sotl Online Presentation Collaborators: Andres Wanner, interactive video design (Visuelle Kommunikation, HGK, Basel. Diplom als Gestalter FH SIAT Lecturer (SFU Surrey Campus); Andrew Hawryshkewich, web design (SIAT graduate student, MA) Close this window