Making The Invisible Visible: How an artist can translate/transform
scientific data into a comprehensible visual language
Abstract
While Artistic techniques may help scientists visualize data and
communicate results to their colleagues, I believe the Arts can play a
more significant role in communicating scientific information to the
general public. Modes of presentation of information determine the
impact of reception. Data on a page or screen is received cerebrally.
Psychologists posit that concepts received emotionally can have a more
lasting, deeper impact on an audience. That is what the arts (film,
dance, drama, painting) can achieve. My paper will demonstrate through a
particular project that concept. It will involve the presentation of a
recent 56 foot long piece I’ve completed called “THE WORLD MAP SERIES”
: https://www.dianeburko.com/new-page-1m which speaks to the impact of
Climate Change on glaciers and coral reefs. This 10-part series
represents my bearing witness to melting ice and coral bleaching, as
well as exchanges with glaciologists and marine biologists over the past
few years. It will also serve as an example of the artistic process.