The art of research

Looking for new ways to present data visually? A group of artists in Bristol may be able to offer some inspiration.

An arts organisation in the city has asked four artists to come up with visualisations based on data about the local area.

In the first stage of the project, eight artists came to stay in Knowle West – one of the most disadvantaged areas in the UK – and get to know local people. They each found a source of data that they thought local residents would benefit from understanding better, and proposed a new way of presenting it.

Four were chosen to return in the summer for a further residency.

Julie Myers and Susanne Stahl will work on visualising weather data, aiming to use colour, shape and movement to “stimulate emotional feeling rather than just describe numbers with icons”.

Paul Hurley will look at things to do with identity data through “live art performances and social media applications”, while Richard Layzell will address a range of topics including energy consumption and wildlife sightings.