GeoSpatial Sculpture: Nonverbal Communication through the Tactilization of Geospatial Data

Abstract

This project is part of a larger conversation between an artist and a geographer focused on how geospatial data can be creatively rendered as sculptures that provoke powerful sensory experiences, make the embedded information tangible, and provoke critical interpretative participation by the community. This specific set of sculptures presented explores uneven economic development in Connecticut through nonverbal means—that is, the visualization and tactilization of labor, income, and housing data. The aim of the specific GeoSpatial Sculpture project is to open a critical dialogue about changing economic conditions in Connecticut.

本计画是一位艺术家与一位地理学者之间更为广泛的对话的一部分，该对话聚焦地理空间数据如何能够创意地展现作为诱发强大感官经验的雕塑、让体现的信息具体化，并诱导社群进行批判性的诠释性参与。本文呈现的此一特殊雕塑集，透过非语言的工具——亦即劳动、所得与居住数据的可视化和触觉化——探讨康涅狄格的不均经济发展。该特定地理空间雕塑计画的目标，在于开啓有关康涅狄格改变中的经济条件之批判性对话。

Este proyecto hace parte de una conversación mayor entre un artista y un geógrafo enfocada a discutir cómo los datos geoespaciales pueden ser reproducidos creativamente como esculturas que provoquen poderosas experiencias sensoriales, hagan tangible la información incrustada e inciten la participación interpretativa crítica por la comunidad. Este específico conjunto de esculturas presentadas explora el desarrollo económico desigual en Connecticut por medios no verbales ––esto es, la visualización y tactilización del trabajo, ingreso y datos de vivienda. La meta del proyecto específico de la Escultura Geoespacial es abrir un diálogo crítico acerca de las cambiantes condiciones económicas de Connecticut.

• Connecticut
• GeoSpatial Sculpture
• nonverbal geographies
• tactilization
• 3D visualization

• 康涅狄格
• 地理空间雕塑
• 非语言的地理
• 触觉化
• 三维可视化

• Connecticut
• Escultura Geoespacial
• geografías no verbales
• tactilización
• visualización en 3D

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to thank the Arts Council of Greater New Haven, the Connecticut State University System, and the Connecticut Humanities program for their generous support, without which this collaboration would not have been possible. Importantly, we would also like to thank Delaney’s (RIP) for providing the much needed ideation space for this project. The usual disclaimers apply.

FUNDING

In addition to funding through the Arts Council of Greater New Haven’s Reintegrate: Enhancing Collaborations in the Arts + Sciences grant supported by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (2012), portions of this work were funded through a Connecticut State University System Research Grant (2014).

Additional information

Funding

In addition to funding through the Arts Council of Greater New Haven’s Reintegrate: Enhancing Collaborations in the Arts + Sciences grant supported by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (2012), portions of this work were funded through a Connecticut State University System Research Grant (2014).

Notes on contributors

C. Patrick Heidkamp

C. PATRICK HEIDKAMP is an Associate Professor in the Department of the Environment, Geography & Marine Sciences at Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT 06515. E-mail: [email protected]. His recent research interests are economic geography, environmental economic geography, social and environmental justice, and the application of geographic information systems.

Jeffrey T. Slomba

JEFFREY T. SLOMBA is a Professor in the Art Department at Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT 06515. E-mail: [email protected]. His recent creative activity produces sculptures that express the confluence of natural and built systems by exploring the embedded subjects of environment, ecology, architecture, and industry.