The idea of a tree is an autonomous production process which combines natural input with a mechanical process. Solely driven by solar energy, it translates the intensity of the sun through a mechanical apparatus into one object a day. The outcome reflects the various sunshine conditions that occur during this day. Like a tree the object becomes a three dimensional recording of its process and time of creation. Source: mischer’traxler studio (2008) The idea of a tree – a semi-autonomous […]

Artist Tali Weinberg is working since 2015 on extensive series of textile data-art documenting heat waves, water color variations, average temperatures, etc. On her website you can discover the dozen different pieces from the “Climate Datascape” series, as well as other data projects. I translate climate data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration into abstracted landscapes and waterscapes, materializing the data with plant-derived fibers and dyes and […]

The artifacts consist of three-dimensional knots based on the analysis on the physical structure of Khipu knots. By using digital tools and analog methods to encrypt information, knots and knotted surfaces are created for the archiving and transmission of different forms of text such as poems or stories. Nayeli Vega’s project “Codes in Knots” revisits the ancient Andean information recording system of Khipus with modern technologies, to encode texts into series of textured, […]

Dexter Callender III’s work captured light moving across several iconic architectures of the Boston area throughout the course of a day. He captured light using a unique setup of photography and code. Those data were then converted into layers and shapes, carved into glass and assembled to form a set of unique sculptures that won Dexter the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Prize in the Visual Arts in 2024. The final shape represents the “immaterial” shape of light moving through […]

PlanetWalker is a public physicalization displayed in an open workplace, using a mosaic art style to present the walking activity of 16 co-located users over four weeks. The mosaic patterns were pre-designed based on the eight planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), symbolizing exploration and representing individual users. It encouraged participants to walk 7,500 steps per day. This daily goal was divided into ten small goals, each represented by a colored […]

Dipsea Chimes is a kinetic data sculpture made by information designer Maggie Shi celebrating the Dipsea Race, America’s oldest trail race. Installed on a terrace overlooking Mt. Tamalpais - the race’s iconic setting - it is accessible to the local community. The piece aims to raise awareness of the race’s historical significance, particularly its pioneering role in equity and gender inclusion. To achieve this, the design presents race data in a tangible, interactive format, making it engaging […]

The Sensing Data course was held at KH-Berlin weißensee in 2024–2025. Its focus was on questioning “What happens when we can not only read information visually, but also can experience it through other senses?”. As a result of the course, 17 student projects have been realized, all being original data-physicalizations involving textile work addressing a specific research question. All 17 projects are documented on the course’s website. Source: Mark-Jan Bludau (2025) Sensing […]

Making the Invisible Visible is a project that tracks cyclists’ routes throughout the city and transforms this data into three-dimensional sculptures that double as public bike repair stations. These sculptural objects not only enhance public space and act as reference points for urban navigation, but also invite cyclists to reflect on bicycle movement across Quito (Ecuador) while repairing their bikes. Sources: Barriga-Abril, X., Vivanco, J., Rosas, C., Medina, X., Aulestia, A., & […]

A handmade bead bracelet visualizing temperature changes in Arkhangelsk city over several decades. Inspired by the Warming Stripes method, each 2 rows encodes a year: red beads for warmer-than-average years, blue for cooler ones. The project involved translating historical climate data into bead colors and weaving them into a tangible artifact—a physical timeline of local global warming. Sources: Project’s Website Information is Beautiful Awards website Related: Also see our entry 2013 – […]

Travels on the Wind is a tangible data visualization of a decade of travel. Each year is represented by a vertical thread with rings and beads encoding data about trip duration, region, season, transportation, accommodation, and companions. The piece was handcrafted over several months using 3D-printed elements, jewelry findings, and UV epoxy resin. Suspended from driftwood, it is both a personal story and a physical expression of data art. Sources: Project’s website Information is […]